CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The Chesapeake School Board has voted to begin the fall semester with virtual instruction amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in Hampton Roads.
The board voted 6-3 in favor of remote learning Monday night during a meeting to discusss the possibilities of students returning back to classrooms for the upcoming school year, among other topics.
School officials say the ultimate goal is to return to the classroom as soon as it’s safe to do so. The virtual learning plan will be reevaluated for elementary students on a monthly basis, and every nine weeks for secondary schools. Decisions will be based on health statistics for the area.
Dr. Jacqueline Miller, the chief student support services officer for Chesapeake Public Schools, said they’ll be closely watching the percent positivity rate and the measure of new cases to determine when that can happen.
Once schools allow students to return in-person, parents will be able to opt to continue virtual learning or send their children to school in-person.
The vote came after about an hour and a half of public comment and the community was split on what they want.
“We want to return to normalcy, but that is an idea of yesterday. Normal is just not an option right now and it won’t be until the global pandemic is over,” said one parent, who supported virtual instruction.
A teacher who spoke got emotional when addressing board members.
“It is my fear that these children will struggle to keep up if they continue their education from behind a screen,” she said.
Some speakers also addressed board member Christie New Craig, who shared politically-charged memes and her thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic. Brad Moore, a parent of a Chesapeake student, said he would not “sit idly by while members of this body politicize the health and education of my children, my community’s children.”
Another person, however, spoke in support of New Craig. She also commended the board member for standing firm in her beliefs and for pushing to reopen schools.
After the public comment period ended around 7:15 p.m., Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton said local COVID-19 numbers look a lot different from the board’s last meeting.
“We know this is a moving target,” he said, adding the “research is limited and contradictory at times,” but Chesapeake Public Schools is committed to staying informed.
The administration will look for a two- to three-week downward trend in coronavirus numbers to determine when schools can be reopened.
Students will be phased in gradually starting with special priority groups. Some grade levels might be moved in faster than others.
“We will reassess where we are on a regular basis,” Miller said.
Ahead of the meeting, members of the Chesapeake Education Association geared up to make their voices heard in support of online classes for the upcoming school year.
Nearly 100 community members decked their cars out with a clear message Monday: virtual classes until it’s safe.