After picking Plan B, Wake County considers moving to all-online classes

Wake County Board of Education Chair Keith Sutton said troubles with parents and teachers getting childcare and a combination of other concerns has led the board to strongly consider moving to Plan C, all online classes.

"We are listening to the concerns of parents and the community regarding childcare issues, and we are listening to the concerns of our teachers, they are concerned about their health and safety as far as coming back to the classroom," said Sutton.

Last week, the Wake County School Board voted for Plan B, which would bring kids back to classrooms in phases in August. Some parents were in favor of students returning back to the the classroom, and some parents were not.

30K Wake students apply for 'virtual academy'

Considering Wake County's Virtual Academy and Plan B? We have answers to more than 30 questions

The Virtual Academy will provide all core classes online for students as an option for those at higher risk for coronavirus infection or whose parents don't feel comfortable sending them back to school yet.

Wake County will use those application numbers to determine how many students are interested and how many teachers will be needed.

Superintendent Cathy Moore said last Friday that the district does not have a cap on the number of students who can apply.

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On top of the Virtual Academy, the district has established other plans in accordance with guidance from the state to limit the number of students at school to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Whether parents indicate a preference for the Virtual Academy or the regular classroom will dictate how teachers and administrators must position themselves to pull it all off, Moore said.

"Once we know the number of students who wish to attend the academy, we can better determine class sizes, schedules and child care needs for those attending our schools in person," school board Chairman Keith Sutton said.