DeKalb County

DeKalb County School Board decides delayed start for the fall, virtual learning

DeKalb County Schools gave a first glimpse at the upcoming fall semester during a board meeting Monday.

Channel 2′s Matt Johnson was outside the DeKalb County headquarters in Decatur where the board recommended delaying class and keeping the doors closed.

The board approved delaying the start of the school year to start on Aug. 17. Previously the school year was set to begin on Aug. 3. The district also took a survey of parents, students and employees about their comfort level returning.

Seventy percent of employees felt uncomfortable about returning to a traditional in-person model. Most students were uncomfortable with returning to school with distance or virtual learning only.

Johnson spoke with DeKalb parents. Destany Caldwell said she’s in no rush to send her two children back into a physical classroom.

“I’d rather have a child to keep home, than a child than a child that’s too sick be home,” she said.

The school board will formally vote on its plan for virtual learning next at its budget meeting.