Images of student crowds raise questions in Georgia schools

ATLANTA — Two suburban Atlanta school districts that began in-person classes Monday with mask-optional policies face more questions about COVID-19 safety protocols after on-campus pictures showed students packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

In Cherokee County, dozens of seniors gathered at two of the district’s six high schools to take traditional first-day-of-school senior photos, with students squeezing together in black outfits. No one in pictures at Sequoyah High School in Hickory Flat or Etowah High School in Woodstock wore a mask.

In Paulding County, student pictures taken Monday and Tuesday show crowded hallways at North Paulding High School in Dallas. Fewer than half of the students shown are wearing masks.

Critics widely derided the pictures on social media, although some residents of the counties voiced support.

Georgia’s largest school district, Gwinnett County, said Tuesday it hopes to make a phased return to face-toface instruction after an allremote start to classes. All students seeking in-person classes could be welcome by Sept. 8, in what Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks wrote is a “best case” scenario.

Cherokee County school district spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said the pictures weren’t a sanctioned activity and district officials only became aware when the photos were posted on social media. She didn’t say why faculty or staff members weren’t present or didn’t break up the groups. An Instagram account associated with Sequoyah High School shared the picture with a caption “Welcome Back!!!” but the picture was later removed.

Cherokee County Superintendent Brian Hightower had already provoked ire among some teachers with a Friday email that some interpreted as suggesting they resign if they had COVID-19 concerns.