Cobb County Teachers, Parents Protest Schools Reopening On Monday

COBB COUNTY, GA — About 100 teachers and parents showed up to the Cobb County School District's board meeting Thursday to protest against schools reopening, the same day two CCSD teachers died of COVID-19.

Protesters asked district leaders to keep students learning virtually, as they said it is not safe to reopen schools. CCSD is scheduled to reopen for face-to-face learning on Monday after switching to virtual learning this week "based on our commitment to student and staff safety," CCSD Superintendent Chris Ragsdale announced in a news release last week.

Dana Johnson, a first grade teacher at Kemp Elementary School, and Cynthia Lindsey, a Sedalia Park Elementary School paraprofessional, both died of COVID-19 just hours apart from each other Thursday.

"One team, one goal: stay alive," protesters chanted, according to the Marietta Daily Journal, borrowing the district's motto: "One Team, One Goal, Student Success."

A third CCSD teacher, Patrick Key of Hendricks Elementary School, died of COVID-19 on Christmas Day, the MDJ reported.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe for Johnson's family here. A GoFundMe was also made for Lindsey's family here.

View the full story on the Marietta Daily Journal's website.