By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
More than 80 parents and children stood in the drizzling rain along Wooster Green this afternoon, holding signs asking the Bowling Green City Schools to offer some in-person education options – rather than just online learning.
Some were pleading, some were demanding. All were hopeful that the district considers other options for their children.
Among them was Ben Otley, the chairperson of the last two levy campaigns for the school district. His sign said “Set expectations. Modify the plan. Re-vote.”
“I believe there are better plans and I firmly believe my kids should be in person, in school, as much as possible,” Otley said.
His daughter, freshman Reagan Otley also came to the rally organized by the parent group BG VOICE.
“I hate being online,” she said. “Everything is so glitchy. Nothing ever works.” Reagan said one of her teachers gets kicked offline every day during class.
Mollie Tyrell stood holding her sign, asking for options.
“I don’t feel my son is getting the education he needs and deserves,” Tyrell said of her second grade son who is spending much of his class time on learning computer skills instead of the subject matter being taught.
“I want to see the plan to send them back to school,” she said.
Dana Nemeth has concerns about her seventh grade son who has special needs.
“He’s not getting the support he needs,” she said. “I’m afraid he’ll fall behind and never catch up.”
Both her sons are struggling with the lack of socializing with peers.
“The emotional well being of both my kids is suffering,” Nemeth said. “What’s this generation going to grow up like if they don’t socialize?”
Nemeth was on the fence about whether or not to attend the rally, and she believes the school board is trying to do what they think is best for the children.
“I think they all have the best in mind. But as a mother, I felt I needed to be here to have my voice heard,” she said. “For my family this is not working.”
Several signs asked why students could participate in sports, but not attend school. Some parents questioned why every other school district in the county has some form of in-person classes. And some pleaded that the school board show more flexibility and creativity. The hybrid plan rejected by the board is not the only hybrid plan out there, a couple parents said.
Bowling Green City Schools board and administration have cited the elevated COVID-19 numbers in Bowling Green due to BGSU as a reason to continue online classes. But parents pointed out that St. Aloysius, BG Christian Academy, and the Montessori School all have in-person classes.
Keborah Snyder, one of the co-chairs for BG VOICE planning, said more than 800 parents have signed the group’s petition asking the district to give parents options.
“I think our kids deserve better options,” Snyder said. “Not all kids can get behind a computer all day and learn.”
Snyder, who has a sixth grader with an IEP, said her child is so frustrated.
“I think if we all work together we can come up with a solution,” she said. “We can’t be so rigid in our thinking.”
Mackenzie Duty, a junior, said she wants to go back to school.
“I’m a social butterfly,” she said.
Her sister, Mariah, a freshman, wants back for a different reason.
“It’s more easier, and the teachers can help you,” she said.
Their dad, James Duty, said children with special needs have a hard time learning on the computer. “Students that need help should be allowed to go back to school,” he said.’
