Apr 27, 2020, 7:00 PM
(from the Washington Post and Brookings) While the path out of the pandemic remains murky, schools are beginning to develop plans to reopen. Montana will reopen schools in May and Colorado is allowing now small group in-person teaching. Many schools are planning for a mix of in-person and remote learning and staggered schedules, to avoid crowds and allow for more open space within buildings. Scheduling may become "a nightmare" and all the more difficult as funding for education will likely decrease due to lower tax revenue. Other challenges include teachers at high risk, limited sinks, and limiting children's movements. Experts from Brookings predict that parents will place a greater emphasis on school choice and involvement in their children's education, which should favor private schools' programs, although financial challenges may be considerable.
More from the Washington Post and the Brookings Institution
(from CNN) Students have filed class-action lawsuits against three New York universities, arguing that the schools have failed to adequately refund or reimburse students for tuition and other fees they paid to have in-person, on-campus classes and other activities. The students argue that not only is online-only instruction less valuable and should cost students less, it is not what they paid for. The lawsuits were filed against Columbia University, Pace University and Long Island University. While Columbia University has announced that it will be issuing full pro-rata refunds for room and board fees and a portion of the student life fees, the university financial services team made clear on its website that tuition will not be refunded as long as instruction continues.
(CFO Deep Dive and FEI Daily) As strategic thinkers with operations expertise, CFOs will play a critical role in their organizations' survival and transformation for the future, according to veteran business leader Jack McCullough. His advice is to over-communicate, care for the team, develop a liquidity plan, engage in scenario planning, rethink the business model, and show strength where possible. And crucial to leading through change is developing a close relationship with the technology team, considering how heavily the world is relying on technologies old and new during the pandemic. To strengthen that relationship, agree which functions are critical to supporting the business, determine which tools are necessary for continuity and which are "nice-to-haves."
More from CFO Deep Dive and FEI Daily
(from Forbes) China and South Korea are piloting the use of autonomous UV-robot systems that use UV light to kill germs in a way that is not harmful to humans. These must be used in spaces where people are not present. Other solutions being discussed include applying special anti-viral paint to high touch areas and 3D-printed, low-tech and hands-free door handles to help people avoid touching bathroom doors, taps, towel dispensers and toilets.
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