Fulton schools looking at 3 possibilities for back-to-school plans, addressing a ‘new normal’

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County school leaders say they're weighing their options about what next school year could look like and what might become the “new normal” for students.

Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik spoke one-on-one with Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney on Friday about the three options on the table for the restart of next school year.

Parents say they're anxious to see what that looks like.

For seventh-grader Peter Butler and his mother, Marchet Butler, the one thing they both miss the most is the face-to-face interaction with teachers.

“My preference would be that we are back in regular school, but the hybrid of sorts would be helpful, so I wouldn’t be providing for all of my son’s needs,” Marchet Butler said. “It hasn’t been the ideal situation, but we’ve made the most of it.”

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Eddie Lee and his wife are working full time from home while schooling their two kids.

“I would prefer a situation where they go back to school, maybe spread out a bit more and if that doesn’t work I’d prefer 100% virtual,” Lee said.

Superintendent Looney told Petchenik that the district's exploring three options for August: A full return to school, continuing digital learning at home or a mix of both.

“What we’re all hoping for is that we resume school under what we call a ‘new normal,’” Looney said.

Looney said if kids are back in class, that "new normal" could include requiring staff to wear masks, frequent disinfecting and limiting large social gatherings.

That could also mean a delayed start to sports.

“My encouragement for all of us is to do what we have to do now to make sure we can all return to school in the fall,” Looney said.

Looney told Petchenik that summer school will be virtual, at least for the month of June. He said the district plans to finalize their plans in July to give parents plenty of time to plan.

School districts receive grants to help struggling students with digital learning Channel 2's Tony Thomas takes a look at how this will impact local school districts and their students.

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