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.

Cobb County schools says year will start fully online August 17 It?s unclear if it will last for the whole year or just the first semester. School officials told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Chris Jose that they would like to return to face-to-face learning as soon as possible.

Cox Media Group