FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Parents are sharing mixed reactions on social media after it was announced Franklin County Schools will return to in-person instruction Monday.
Franklin County Superintendent Mark Kopp posted a video to the district's Facebook page Thursday where he explained the school board had encouraged the district to return to in-person instruction based on county coronavirus numbers, but will allow students who wish to continue with virtual learning to do so.
"With the incident rate decreasing today and staying close to yellow for most of the week, the board strongly encouraged the district to return to in-person instruction," Kopp said in the video.
As of Friday, Franklin County remained in the state's "orange zone" designation, with an average of 12 new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people.
Kopp said the district can revert to virtual learning only if there is an escalation in cases.
Franklin County Schools parent Danielle Birdwhistell said she was glad to have a choice.
"We're happy to be able to stay online at this time," she said.
He second grader and tenth grader have been doing well with virtual learning, she said, and she has concerns about an escalation of coronavirus cases as the holidays approach.
"In order for me to personally be comfortable, I would like for our county to be no cases, zero cases for 14 days," She said. "Then I would be completely comfortable."
Reaction to the announcement on Facebook was mixed, with some parents thrilled to send their children to school, while others were concerned with the county's "orange zone" designation.
Kopp said high school and middle school students who return to in-person instruction will be on a hybrid model, where they attend class in the building two days a week and virtually three days a week. Elementary school students will attend in-person classes five days a week.
