Clayton County Schools will open a week later than planned and classes will start out as virtual only.

The school board in the south metro community late Monday approved moving the first day of classes to Aug. 10, a week later than originally planned.

The district also approved a plan that will begin the year with students learning from home instead of coming into schools. Parents and guardians in Clayton County overwhelmingly said in a survey that they prefer home instruction because of concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

“I certainly commend our Board of Education for recognizing the need to adjust plans as we consider all options for the 2020-2021 school year,” Clayton County Superintendent Morcease Beasley said. “We have been working tirelessly to mitigate as many challenges as possible during this complex time, and we are glad to have one less hurdle to navigate as we prepare for a safe virtual return to the school in the fall.”

Beasley said teachers should check with the principals of their schools about whether they can teach from home or are expected to come to school for instruction.

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