In-person

district offices to rally for online-only classes.

“Given the increase in COVID-19 cases in Gwinnett and the concerns expressed by our community, this was the right decision to make at this time,” Wilbanks said in Monday’s statement. “Our focus now must be on starting the year strong digitally and taking the steps we all need to take to stay healthy and to turn the numbers in the right direction.”

Marisa Bifalco, who was at Friday’s gathering, helped organize a Facebook group and a petition for the parents upset that their choice was taken away.

“I understand some parents need for their children to have school from home,” said Bifalco, the mother of a 7th- and 11th-grader. “But that isn’t the best thing for everyone. If we follow guidelines of social distancing, wearing masks and washing our hands, in-person schooling can work.”

In June, the school district took a survey that asked parents their preferences for classes in the upcoming year. Of the respondents, less than half said they preferred in-person school. More than half said they’d be uncomfortable with their children riding a school bus since social distancing wouldn’t be possible.

Those kinds of responses show that there is no simple solution, said Jonathan Patterson, associate superintendent for curriculum and instructional support, during the July school board meeting. Several departments gave reports on where they were with readying teachers and staff for fall classes.

“We’ve added a third day of professional development focused strictly on digital teaching,” he said.

Gwinnett issued a list of promises Monday outlining how this online semester would be different. It was followed by a list of nonspecific action steps such as, “students will receive quality instruction on all gradelevel standards.”

Clyde Strickland said at Friday’s gathering he wouldn’t hesitate to continue his mentoring and other volunteer efforts in the school district, although he’s in the age group most at-risk for contracting the coronavirus.

“If they consider people in construction and at Kroger as essential personnel, why can’t they consider teachers essential? Make them go to work!” he yelled to cheers and applause.