Students gather outside Lexington-Richland 5 board meeting to protest transition to five day in-person school week

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Students in the Lexington-Richland 5 School District, who are part of the hybrid learning model, are transitioning from a four day in-person schedule to a five day face-to-face schedule, beginning next Monday, but many students and parents are concerned with the district’s decision.

ABC Columbia’s Lindsey Goodwin was live outside of Irmo High School, where a board meeting is scheduled to take place. Many students protested the district’s decision, saying they don’t yet feel safe making a full return, as COVID-19 cases rise.

There’s even a petition circulating online now that was started by a former teacher and a mother of a high school freshman, who’s asking the board to allow live streaming classes to count towards attendance. As of Monday afternoon, the petition had received 330 signatures of a 500 signature goal.

Monday’s meeting is open to the public, so we’re expecting some parent participation in the issue.