Central Florida parents struggle to choose back to school plan

Parents share decisions about students heading back to school

FOX 35's Jessica Albert has the story.

LAKE MARY, Fla. - The start of the new school year is just weeks away for many districts in Central Florida and parents and students are having to make tough decisions.

“My entire family is very worried about what the future of my education is going to look like the next two years,” student Zophia Kotola said.

Some school districts, like Orange, Volusia, and Brevard counties need to finalize their back-to-school plans. Osceola and Seminole counties have a plan. Parents in Osceola County chose on July 15 whether they wanted their children to learn virtually or in-person next school year. In Seminole County, parents have until July 24 to decide.

“I have a senior at Titusville High School and she will not be returning to brick and mortar,” parent Leah Mallace said.

Some families said the decision to not send their children back to school for in-person teaching is easy.

Kotola added, “I mean, the people that I’ve talked to, usually they can understand where I’m coming from, and I understand where they’re coming from, but what I have been told is that you just have to make the decision of do you favor your education or your family’s life."

On the other hand, there are parents who are ready to send their children back.

“I feel like my kids are safe to go back,” parent Leisa Covelli said. “I’m not worried about that at all. I feel like all the kids are safe to go back.”

Covelli’s two sons will be going back to school in Seminole County. She said she made this decision by closely watching the number of deaths in here area. However, she said other parents have questioned her choice.

“I’m called selfish quite a bit,” Covelli said. “I’m called uncaring and unthoughtful and that I don’t care about teachers. I’m a former teacher. I taught before I had kids. I love teachers. I have the most respect for teachers. I know they’re put through a lot, but based on the facts and the data, I don’t think it supports the decision to not go back.”

Several of the school districts in Central Florida that do have back-to-school plans have decided to push back the first day of class to give teachers more time to prepare. You can find more information on that here.

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