CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Cabarrus County Schools will begin bringing students and teachers back to the classroom for in-person learning Tuesday for the first time since December, with the district returning to Plan B scheduling.
Plan B includes two days of in-person classes and three days of virtual learning. The school board made the decision last week despite plenty of opposition from teachers and parents.
“I think it’s important when we’re choosing which plan to be in that we follow the data," said Meredith Newman, a second grade teacher.
Right now, the data shows that COVID-19 cases across the county are up with a higher positivity rate than compared to back in December when the board chose to return to all-virtual learning to be safe.
The Cabarrus Health Alliance recommended the district stick to virtual learning, at least until the numbers decrease. The board chose not to take that recommendation, with some members arguing the COVID-19 risk at school is minimal.
“Personally, I feel the safest place in our communities is our schools,” Cabarrus County School Board Member Keshia Sandidge said. “My family contracted COVID and my child wasn’t even in school.”
But many teachers disagree.
“I’m pregnant with twins and my pregnancy is high-risk so that adds a whole other level of concern for me,” said second grade teacher Rebecca Ringlein.
Most staff in Cabarrus County schools do not have the option to do all-virtual learning all the time so they say sacrifices must be made.
“I will be there tomorrow because I need my job but I will be praying hard the whole day,” Ringlein said.
Previously, Cabarrus County school board did mention plans to eventually move to Plan A, all in-person learning, within the next four weeks. It's unclear when and if that will actually happen.