By Carleigh Kenny
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore County Board of Education got an earful of complaints and praises Tuesday night from parents and educators grappling with the return of students to public schools now that COVID-19 infections have dropped, and state officials are busily vaccinating residents across the state.
Most parents and educators focused on plans for the current school year since Baltimore County public schools are scheduled to expand the option for in-person instruction to four days a week for some students on May 10 and 17. PreK-5 students will follow social distances of 3 feet, while secondary education students would keep distances of 6 feet, officials said.
The meeting comes one day after Baltimore County Public School officials announced that students will be offered in-person instruction five days a week as well as a full-time online learning option in the upcoming 2021-22 school year.
Tom DeHart, executive director of the Council of Administrative and Supervisory Employees (CASE), warned board members not to interfere with the current plans to reopen schools for selected students scheduled for fulltime, face to face instruction.
“An arbitrary change to our reopening plan at this point would show a complete lack of respect and appreciation for the hard work we have done over the last two weeks,” DeHart told the zoom meeting of board members. “Is that the message you want to send? Stay in your lane.”
A similar plea came from Cindy Sexton of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County.
“Please don’t ask any of us to pivot, shift or find a way to change one more thing, one more time,” Sexton said. “Let us finish out these last weeks of this most unusual and trying school year, completing the plan we have, doing what our students need.”
One parent told the board that her 5th and 6th grade children have been thriving in the virtual setting. She urged board members to “improve and expand on this model” because it has provided a “better middle school experience” for her children.
“This year has clearly shown us that one size does not fit all in education,” said Emily Molnicks.
Other parents complained about the loss of learning their children have experienced during the pandemic and that a lack of communication among students, teachers, parents, and administrators have been harmful.
On Monday, county school officials announced that the fall online learning option will include a blend of live instruction and course work that students can complete independently. Officials said that families interested in online instruction for the fall semester must submit a form to school officials by May 7 at 5 p.m.
School board members are expected to learn more details on instruction models for the fall from school administrators on May 18.