The School Board of Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) in Montgomery, Alabama, currently plans to reopen schools both normally and virtually. In spite of all the precautions laid out by MPS, the current model for structured reopening will likely result in more infections. Creating both forms of school may become ineffective in stopping the transmission of the COVID-19 disease; in fact, it will be more likely to prolong the pandemic. 

The state of Alabama already has over 56,000 active infections and 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, with daily new infections consistently surpassing 1,000 cases. With this knowledge, current students, their families, our educators, and residents are calling on MPS to shift from the in-person academic instruction model to virtual instruction and distance learning to keep us safe and healthy while mitigating the exponential risk of spreading the virus. 

The current plan fails to support students, families, and educators who are the most at-risk of contracting the virus and facing adverse educational consequences without adequate support and resources. As a community, we must be concerned and support the needs of these students during a virtual semester. Those students who are facing financial or food insecurity, learning in a special education setting, or at-risk of leaving school or getting involved with county or state systems must continue to receive the full support of staff and administration. 

Fortunately, the last few months have demonstrated the robustness of our community. You as Board members have redoubled your efforts to provide my classmates with nutritional and educational support. Certainly, a delayed school year or complete distance learning will present a tough time for many families who require childcare, and it is no small burden to place on the Board the responsibility of finding and implementing solutions to these needs. During this time, MPS must communicate with PTA leaders, alumni associations, and local organizations such as the YMCA to find workable and accessible answers. Solutions such as small, organized childcare groups will enable some parents to work and provide an environment for their children to learn without creating a large potential for viral spread. Any worries that MPS and the network of nonprofits with which it works could not provide for the students of this school system during a virtual semester have been resolutely debunked. It will require an abundance of work to serve those who have the least, but our community has proven that it can be done.

The science is clear: the Board’s decision to implement in-person instruction will likely have grave consequences if it is not rescinded before the year begins. Remote schooling, which displays a sincere commitment to student, staff, and community health, is the only option that truly protects those whom your office is trusted to serve. Ultimately, a virtual reopening can easily transition into in-person schooling when such a style becomes safe. However, if the school year begins with face-to-face reopening, it will irreversibly harm our entire community.

Please feel free to contribute comments to the Board either in your signature on this petition or on the full letter to be sent to the Board Superintendent and Members linked below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rWdeRsmwbzpU7aUwxOADnkR_7jadbkOu6FiNmqUEakU/edit?usp=sharing