COVID-19 Conversations: Superintendent Russell Booker on the Challenges that Lie Ahead for Reopening Schools

When states began enacting stay-at-home orders during the early days of the pandemic, schools were among the first organizations to pivot. Teachers and administrators across the country had to suddenly account for how they were going to provide remote instruction to thousands of students in a matter of days. The task was further complicated by the fact that many students lack the internet access that is required to do homework and rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs. After serving as the superintendent for Spartanburg County School District Seven for the last decade, Russell Booker has dedicated his time these last few months to meeting the changing needs of students and coordinating a district-wide response to COVID-19 before retiring from his post on June 30. Booker, who has spoken at past Riley Institute events, is also a Riley Fellow who participated in the institute's Diversity Leaders Initiative program.