Protest at South Butler decries reopening plan
JEFFERSON TWP — About 60 South Butler County School District parents and students — all passionate in their stance that students should return to school full time in the fall — waved homemade signs and cheered Thursday evening as honking cars passed their peaceful protest on Dinnerbell Road in front of Knoch High School.
The district earlier this month approved a plan to divide the student population into two groups and send each group to school two days per week this fall. Students would study at home using school curriculum during the other three school days each week.
“I don't want to wear a mask or live in fear at school,” said Savannah Zanoli, who will be in the fourth grade, “and I don't want our classes to be split up.”
Her classmate, Tessa Carbungco, said studying at home for more than two months at the end of the school year didn't promote learning, and she wants to return to school full time in the fall. “It was really hard for all of the kids to do online,” Tessa said. “I missed my friends and teachers.”
Sheila Priester, a parent from Winfield Township, said her children had several issues with remote learning since school was canceled in mid-March, including internet connectivity problems with the Google Classroom server. “It doesn't support this many kids using the server,” Priester said. “We're in a rural area, so internet service is unreliable.”
Her daughter, Elizabeth Priester, 17, will be a senior in the next school year. Elizabeth is in advanced-placement classes at Knoch and is trying to boost her grade-point average in an effort to get into the University of Pittsburgh after graduation.
“It's harder to learn online than when a teacher is there in front of you,” she said.
Morgan Werner, who will enter eighth grade at Knoch in the fall, said keeping students apart will be difficult and may not prevent the spread of COVID-19 because many students have been visiting one another all through the pandemic.Her classmate Myah Smith said temperatures should be taken at the door and school should return to five days per week. “If you have any symptoms, then just don't go to school,” Myah said.School board members Matt Cimbala and George Zacherl attended and talked to parents and students. Cimbala, who voted in favor of the plan, said the plan will change over the summer depending on the virus and regulations from the state's Department of Education.He stressed that the PDE required that a plan be in place by June 30 for the new school year, and the plan will most likely change by the time late August arrives.Cimbala appreciated the passion of the families who attended the protest.“I love when people want to give a message to the district,” he said as he gazed at the line along Dinnerbell Road. He added that parents should be aware the board takes into consideration what parents are going through and the challenges they face as the district tries its best to educate students during unprecedented times. “I understand their frustration and I appreciate them coming out,” Cimbala said.
