DUPLIN COUNTY, N.C -- State officials visited Duplin and Pender County schools Monday morning. 

• Students and teachers have missed 30 days of school since the storm
• Missed school days due to the hurricane are forgiven
• All displaced students can expect a brand new backpack with school supplies

Students and teachers have missed 30 days of school since the storm.

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mark Johnson, said missed school days due to the hurricane are forgiven. He encouraged teachers to focus on their students' wellbeing first. Once students are back in the classroom, lawmakers will ask for flexibility from the federal government. 

"We are going to be pushing for as many exceptions and as much flexibility as we can," said Johnson. "Because, again, the most important thing is not a test score, it’s not a state standard, it’s that we get these students back into these warm, caring environments and they know that they are safe and they have routine again.”

Duplin County Schools suffered $8 million in damages and 169 students have been displaced from their homes. Teachers said they have spoken to some families who have since moved out of state.

Duplin County Schools are set to reopen Wednesday following Hurricane Florence. 

All displaced students can expect a brand new backpack with school supplies and personal items donated by local churches.