Disagreements in the Gwinnett County Public Schools over the district’s decision to continue with in-person learning have some parents worried the school system’s accreditation could be at risk. COVID-19 cases are down in Gwinnett, but they’re still higher than experts recommend to reopen schools. The district shifted to online learning during the week of Jan. 19-22 to give teachers who had contracted COVID-19 time to quarantine before returning to their classrooms.
The In-Person vs. Remote Debate
Some board members raised concerns about resuming in-person learning. However, the board doesn’t decide whether schools close. The superintendent does. Gwinnett’s Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks has said students will continue to have the option to learn face-to-face for now. (They can opt for remote learning if they want.)
During the district’s February school board meeting, there were sharp disagreements between community members over school reopenings. Some parents said the district needs to develop its own benchmarks for reopening instead of relying on state or federal standards.
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