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(Yi-Ke Peng/WOUB)

Athens City K-12 May See Delay in Start of Remote Classes

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens City School District may see a delay in the start of remote classes because of internet access.

Online classes had been set to begin March 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But there is a possibility not all students will have internet available by that time.

The district announced Thursday that 16 percent of their K-12 student population does not have internet at home, according to the results of a survey sent out this week. The survey was meant to find out student internet and computer availability at home, as well as meal needs.

Internet equipment has been ordered but, according to Superintendent Tom Gibbs, vendors have told him “it may be the end of March before that equipment is delivered.”

Gibbs said the original March 30 date to start remote classes may be delayed “in order to provide the greatest equity of educational access” to all families.

In the message sent out to parents on Thursday, Gibbs also said that K-12 teachers are undergoing online professional training to use Google Classroom, Canvas, and Zoom in preparation for the aimed start date,  pending the internet equipment setup.

Meal deliveries will continue as planned, according to Gibbs.

On Monday, cafeteria workers will prepare breakfast and lunch sacks that school buses will deliver to usual bus stops between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Gibbs said they “will determine if these deliveries will be daily or every few days,” after reviewing the surveys filled out by parents.

Chromebook deliveries for those who requested them will be made on the same bus routes as the meals starting March 25.

“However, I will provide phone call updates the night before any deliveries to assure parents are aware when the devices will arrive,” Gibbs said.

The ACSD will continue to update parents and the community as things progress “n order to guarantee equal education to all K-12 students amid this “unprecedented time in our history.”

“We can all work together to make the best experience possible for our children,” Gibbs said.