Several Athens residents expressed concern about the Clarke County School District's COVID-19 response during yesterday's board meeting.
14 residents came forward to discuss the school district's response to the rising COVID-19 cases in Athens. Multiple people, including a healthcare professional, claimed that the district is not following the proper CDC guidelines. "I am very familiar with the CDC guidelines, which are not being followed."
A Cedar Shoals educator asked for improved ventilation, contract tracing efforts, and consistent policies. "Different things are happening in different places, and teachers feel out of the loop and confused."
Having a virtual option for students was also mentioned. "I want to know if we have the infrastructure from last year for a virtual option why that's not being offered."
On the other hand, one resident argued that masks should not be worn in school. "Why do you feel it is so essential that masks be worn in school when the incidents of hospitalization and death is so low among children?"
Multiple parents are also worried about learning loss and begged the district to refrain from shutting down as they did last year. "COVID's not going to go away and in the meantime, our kids need to be educated. Please don't shut the school district down."
The Clarke County School District says they want all students to learn in a safe environment and recommends that all eligible students get vaccinated against COVID-19.
WUGA's Jessica Wurst reports:
