An urgent call to convene as more than a handful of public schools may not be able to open has led to lawmakers heading into an emergency session Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

With the new school year nearly here, Senator Dwayne San Nicolas called for an emergency legislative session to discuss Bill 317, which would allow 19 public schools awaiting sanitary inspections to operate in SY 2024-2025.

Schools at risk of not opening include Maria Ulloa Elementary, V.S.A. Benavente Middle School, and Southern High School, among others.

DPHSS is ready to inspect but notes the approaching sunset of Public Law 37-32, which allowed GDOE schools to open while awaiting inspection for SY 2023-2024.