Cumberland County considers reopening schools next semester

One mother wrote to the school board urging the county to reopen schools. She said she is concerned her senior, an A student, won't be ready for college without in-person learning, adding that each day of virtual learning is a day of missed instruction her daughter and peers won't get back.

She also reminded board members that middle and high school students are especially capable of wearing masks in the classroom and practicing social distancing and said she believes in testing and safety protocols.

School systems adapt after governor's push for return to the classroom

"These students need their teachers in person. They need their counselors in person," another parent said, explaining the stability of school is a safe haven for many students.

Another parents argued differently, saying teachers and students will be in danger if schools reopened before COVID-19 is under control.

"Other schools have opened, but at what cost? Please consider to keep all schools closed," the statement read.

No evidence opening K-12 public schools is a factor in NC's increase in virus cases, state health officials say

The majority of young people who have tested positive since the coronavirus pandemic began are between the ages 18 of 24, and health officials are finding that the majority of children who do contract coronavirus have mild or no symptoms of coronavirus. They also are less likely to spread the coronavirus.

Smaller class sizes, daily temperature checks, mask requirements and one-way hallways, among other policies, have been used in other districts to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

If students returned to schools in January, Cumberland County would open in a rotating model, with smaller groups of students attending schools on either Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday. Schools would be closed Wednesday while all students learn remotely.

Cumberland County Schools is the fifth largest district in North Carolina, serving over 52,000 students.