California Area parents set town hall on reopening plan

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Parents in the California Area School District have scheduled a town hall meeting about the start of the school year following the district’s announcement that school will begin with two weeks of virtual instruction.

The Concerned Parents of California Area SD Facebook group formed Thursday and already has nearly 250 members. 

Because of the overwhelming response, Larry Pollock, one of the group’s organizers, said the town hall has been set for a large outdoor venue where everyone can safely socially distance. It will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Roscoe Sportsmen Association, 1069 Sloan Lane, Coal Center (Long Branch).

“We totally agree with the seriousness of the illness, but some of the things being done may be more detrimental,” Pollock said.

He stated that education is about more than academics, and he and others would like their children to have the option of in-person classes, just as those who have concerns about sending their children to a bricks-and-mortar school have the option of selecting a full virtual program. The town hall comes just two days before the next regular school board meeting, where the board is expected to take a formal vote on the reopening plan.

“The town hall is to get feedback from all the parents,” Pollock said. “It’s not just for parents who want their children to go back.”

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