Local

Some Cobb parents want face-to-face learning option for kids, others disagree

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Dozens of Cobb County parents are coming together to push for an in-person learning option.

Hundreds, maybe even thousands are expected show up at the Cobb County Civic Center on Aug. 1 to rally for that option.

Michael Shelley started a petition urging the Cobb County school district to reinstate a face-to-face learning option.

[Cobb County schools says year will start fully online August 17]

“If they want virtual, let them have the virtual. We just want a choice to put our kids back in the classroom,” Shelley said.

On Friday, he emailed a new proposal to the board of education and superintendent Chris Ragsdale: a liability form.

If a child or parent is exposed or infected with COVID-19 and becomes sick, disabled, or dies, they waive the right to bring any legal action against the district.

[RELATED: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Plans for returning to school this fall]

“I think it’s absolutely appalling that we have gotten to a point that we are now asking parents to sing a death waiver,” said Cobb County school PTA president Stephanie Barringer.

Barringer supports Ragsdale’s decision to begin the school year with 100 percent virtual learning.

“If you have to sign a death waiver for your child, clearly it’s not safe for you to go back,” Barringer said.

Channel 2 Action News looked at the trend numbers on the Cobb-Douglas public health website.

Since July 15, the health department has reported a sharp decline in daily confirmed cases.

"If the CDC director is OK with schools being in session, I think Cobb County should be OK with that as being an option," Shelley said.

We reached out to the superintendent and the board of education.

A district spokesperson said in part: “We continue to rely on public health guidance. Cobb is in an area of ‘high spread.’”

As of Monday morning, there are more than 6,500 signatures on the petition.

0