BRIGHTON, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Brighton Area School District voted on its plans for the fall overnight.
The Board, in a 5 to 2 vote, will welcome students back four days a week in-person, and reserve one day for remote learning.
Hundreds of people tuned into the Brighton Area School District’s virtual board meeting Tuesday night, where members deliberated for hours before finally approving the district’s plan to have students back for face-to-face learning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — while offering remote learning on Wednesdays.
This 2-1-2 model in Brighton will be be in place as long as Michigan remains in phase 4 of re-opening. Should we move back to phase 3, all learning would need to be remote per state guidelines @wxyzdetroit
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) August 12, 2020
“What is best for my family is face-to-face….Virtual is not an option for our family," said one parent during the virtual meeting.
Board members approved the plan 5 to 2, but not before hearing parents, students, and teachers concerns. Many torn between wanting to return in person while feeling uncertain about the future.
“This feels like a little bit like going to wedding that you know is going to end in divorce…. This isn’t going to end well.”
Anchor Bay School District also voting Tuesday night, agreeing to offer two options for the fall, in-person or remote learning.
Registration for the Anchor Bay Virtual Academy starts August 13.
And in Birmingham, frustration over the district’s plans to start fully online in the fall led to a rally outside Groves High School Tuesday night with some parents arguing the district should offer students safe, in-person learning options.
In Brighton, re-opening has been pushed back until after Labor day, September 8.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, an incoming senior suggested moving some classrooms outside as yet another work around.
“If we move some classrooms outside, not only will we be able to spread students, there's better ventilation.”
Dozens and dozens of parents weighed in Tuesday night in Brighton, with a range of different opinions on how best to welcome back students.
If the state were to move back into phase 3 of re-opening, all learning would need to be done virtually.
View the latest information about Brighton Area Schools here.
