TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Many school districts across Michigan continue to work to decide what the start of the school year will look like. Wednesday the Troy School Board voted unanimously to start the school year all virtual.
The Troy School District announces and streams its meetings on Facebook. Their parents are commenting, sharing a variety of views. Some were already planning on virtual learning.
Others are calling on the district to offer an in-person and virtual option, with one parent commenting, “My boys need to go back for their physical and mental well-being."
Superintendent Dr. Richard Machesky says he agrees that in-person learning is best for student learning and well-being, but a lot has to be weighed. The district just received protocols for schools from the Oakland County Health Department last week.
“We are looking at our ability to meet the needs or requirements around safety protocols. Budget is a huge issue right now. The state has yet to pass a budget for schools and we are 6 weeks into the school year, our fiscal year,” said Machesky.
He says to implement the safety protocols recommended would cost millions over the course of the school year.
They have also talked to experts about how hard the community is getting hit by the virus, data that keeps changing.
“We need to go slow to go fast. Whenever we get to the point where students are in class, because we will be there we want to make sure we can sustain that over time,” said Dr. Machesky.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
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