COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Metro Atlanta school districts are announcing a virtual learning day on Tuesday, Dec. 6 due to Georgia's Senate runoff election.
As some school buildings are used as voting locations, and to help free up time for families, districts have decided that teachers will teach online with students learning at home for the day.
Below are the districts that have announced virtual plans.
Fulton County
Fulton County Schools announced Dec. 6 will be a remote learning day due to the statewide run-off election.
"A majority of Fulton County schools serve as polling sites, and this decision will keep students and staff safer," the district said on its website. "Since the run-off election is expected to draw high voter turnout, there will be a large number of outside visitors to our campuses. The additional traffic can also create campus congestion with packed parking lots, which can affect buses and car rider lanes."
Students will receive direction from their schools and teachers for remote learning instructions.
DeKalb County
The DeKalb County School District has designated Dec. 6 a virtual learning day for students. Officials said the transition to remote learning will "ensure fewer disruptions to students and faculty" as schools are used as polling locations.
"We view voting as a fundamental right for citizens," Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, the district's interim superintendent said. "As we did during the mid-term elections earlier this week, we want to continue to do our part to ensure safe, secure, and easily accessible locations for voters who choose to exercise this right."
Schools will be sharing more information with families in the coming weeks, the district said.
Atlanta Public Schools
APS announced Friday it will pivot to virtual learning on Dec. 6.
The district said 29 APS facilities are polling stations with three additional stations serving as ballot drop-off sites.
"As such, APS will pivot to virtual learning that day in order to support quality teaching and learning while balancing the safety and security of scholars and staff," the district said in a news release.
Students will return to in-person learning on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Clayton County
Clayton County Public Schools is encouraging all stakeholders to participate in the run-off election.
"This decision is being made in conjunction and alignment with other Metro-Atlanta School Systems," the county said.
The district said employees will participate in a digital day to give them an opportunity for all to participate in the run-off election.
“I ask that all department leads and supervisors be flexible with staff to accommodate voting,” Superintendent Dr. Morcease J. Beasley said in a news release. “As we look to exercise our constitutional rights, we must have all eligible voters do their part and have their voices heard at the ballot box."
Cobb County
Cobb County public schools will host a virtual learning day for Georgia's U.S. Senate runoff Election Day.
The school district announced students would learn through the Cobb Teaching and Learning System on Dec. 6 due to the statewide election. District leaders said the move was to help accommodate procedures as the election directly impacts several school buildings.
"For staff, December 6th's schedule and expectations will be identical to Election Day, Tuesday, November 8," a news release from the district reads.
Georgia Senate runoff elections
Neither Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock nor Herschel Walker cleared the 50% + 1 threshold to earn a seat in the U.S. Senate, triggering a runoff election. This means Georgia voters will have to head to the polls once again to sound off who they want to represent them in the nation's capital.
Click here for more details on the election timeline and here on how to request an absentee ballot.
11Alive is committed to helping you vote confidently by understanding the 2022 election issues that impact you. Our goal is to educate and inform our audience about the election process. We plan to do that by verifying facts, providing context, and explaining the system.
You can read our full mission statement online. In addition, get more election resources here at 11alive.com/vote.