DETROIT – One of the questions asked by parents is when will Michigan schools re-open to finish out the school year?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says it's “very unlikely” that K-12 schools will be opening their doors again in the 2019-2020 school year.

Whitmer spoke Friday morning on WWJ Radio in Detroit. She said her administration is working diligently to come up with a plan to meet the needs of the children. She says that is not something that can be developed over night, but it is in the works, and hopefully will be announced very soon. Whitmer is working with State education officials to make sure all school districts have plans to continue remote education.

Originally, Whitmer issued an executive order that called for all schools in Michigan to be shut down until April 6. When she announced the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order on March 23, the schools pushed back their return date to April 13.

A statement from Michigan Department of Education State Superintendent Michael Rice says that he would support Whitmer if she decides to extend the school closures.

The Department of Education also released a memo that says online learning by students during the coronavirus closure will not count towards the 1,098 hours or 180 days of face to face instruction that is mandated by state law.