RALEIGH, N.C. -- Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) released the following statement regarding Gov. Roy Cooper’s school reopening announcement:

“Gov. Cooper’s plan gets students halfway to where they need to be. But much like jumping over a creek, halfway doesn’t cut it.

“The Governor’s plan makes worse the very inequities a public school system is supposed to resolve. Students whose parents do not have the time or resources to supplement ‘virtual’ schooling will fall even further behind simply because of the condition of their birth. That’s an unspeakable travesty.

“And parents who do not have the privilege of working from home can’t take off every other day from work. What are they supposed to do?

“The Governor permits parents to choose full remote learning — he must also permit parents to choose full in-person learning as well.

“I also have serious questions about the requirement for masks on five-year-olds, which contradicts the Cooper Administration’s own guidance for child care centers. What happens when a kindergartner removes a mask? Does the Governor really expect teachers to have any chance of enforcing this mandate?