AJC forum will ask school leaders about returning to classrooms

School districts across metro Atlanta have started releasing plans on how to return to school in the fall.

Many have pushed back the first day of school to ensure enough preparation has taken place. Some districts have announced both in-person and virtual learning plans, while some are offering a combination of the two.

Ahead of the first day, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is hosting an AJC Community Conversation for parents, students, educators and others to ask any questions they have ahead of the first day.

The forum will be held July 15 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It will feature metro Atlanta school superintendents and other district leaders who will answer questions about what to expect for the upcoming school year.

Scheduled to attend are:

Grant Rivera, Marietta City Schools superintendent

Chris Ragsdale, Cobb County School District superintendent

Mike Looney, Fulton County Schools superintendent

Lisa Herring, Atlanta Public Schools superintendent

Morcease Beasley, Clayton County Public Schools superintendent

Cheryl Watson-Harris, DeKalb County School District superintendent

J. Alvin Wilbanks, Gwinnett County Public Schools superintendent

Richard Woods, Georgia superintendent of schools.

The discussion will be moderated by education reporter Marlon A. Walker. Education team reporters Arlinda Smith Broady, Vanessa McCray, Kristal Dixon and Leon Stafford also will be on hand.

Students are expected to return to classrooms in August for the first time since school districts across the country shuttered buildings in March to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The forum is the first of a series of conversations that will take place in the coming months. The AJC is pressing area leaders for vital information to keep you informed — and get answers to make life better. This virtual event is part of an ongoing series of important discussions with AJC experts and community leaders about the impact of COVID-19 on the metro Atlanta community.

Register to reserve a virtual seat for the forum here. Can't make it? Registrants will receive a link to the recording after it becomes available.

About the Author

Marlon A. Walker

Marlon A. Walker is an education reporter covering DeKalb County.

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