Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Clayton County schools may open virtually, but in-person education is the goal

Clayton County Schools Superintendent Morcease Beasley said schools may begin virtually, but he wants students to eventually attend class in person.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Clayton County Schools Superintendent Morcease Beasley said schools may begin virtually, but he wants students to eventually attend class in person.
By Leon Stafford
July 13, 2020

Though most parents and staff have signaled a preference for virtual education in the 2020-2021 school year, Clayton County Superintendent Morcease Beasley said Monday he hopes students will eventually be able to have in-class instruction.

The district leader said having in-class instruction would track with expectations from Gov. Brian Kemp and President Trump.

“While we may start virtually, our goal is face-to-face ASAP,” Beasley said in a tweet early Monday.

Beasley announced last week that the district was leaning toward a virtual-only school day when school begins in early August.

The Clayton Board of Education will meet Monday to decide whether to open Aug. 3 as planned, or move that date back a week to give teachers and staff time to prepare for a virtual program.

About the Author

Leon Stafford covers south metro government

More Stories

Keep Reading

The pedestrian collision happened Saturday morning in DeKalb County. (AJC 2022)

Credit: Henri Hollis

Pedestrian fatally struck by FedEx truck in DeKalb, police say

The collision happened near police headquarters and several stores.

Man charged with shooting teens during porch package theft, Atlanta police say

16-year-old was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive, according to authorities.

Suspect arrested in New York after Shaq’s custom car vanished in Atlanta

NBA legend’s new Range Rover was stolen during transport after a phishing tactic, officials say.

The Latest

A self-driving Waymo vehicle is seen leaving Ponce City Market in Atlanta on Monday, June 23, 2025. Waymo is preparing to launch on the Uber app in Atlanta, utilizing the most advanced autonomous driving technology. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

OPINION

Gridlock Guy: Should Waymo be held to a higher standard than human drivers?

2h ago

Pedestrian fatally struck by FedEx truck in DeKalb, police say

Arctic blast to bring bitter cold to metro Atlanta next week

Featured

Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

DeKalb students raise fears about ICE raids; teachers told not to talk about it

The Sequoyah Middle School community asked DeKalb school officials to better support students who fear ICE.

Two-day effort helps free endangered right whale off Georgia coast

Georgia state officials helped disentangle a North American right whale, one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.