About 200 protesting paents crowded outside Irmo High at the District 5 board meeting.

They want a return for 5 days a week, face-to-face learning.

Chase Sternberg of Irmo said, “If there is a safest group, it is our children. Traveling to school in an automobile is far more danger ous than covid to our kids.” Said Elizabeth Bourbon, a parent of a 7- and a 12-year-old, “Their mental health is in jeopardy.”

Amye Hawkins said, “If it’s ok for sports, why is it not ok for class?”

Jennifer Valek and Caroline Richardson Glenn organized the protest.

Valek said the parents want Superintendent Christina Melton and district officials to give a timeline to return to 5 days a week.

Following the board meeting, Dr. Melton said,

“School District 5 values and appreciates the input of our community as we navigate the unprecedented challenges that covid-19 has presented.”

Valek and Glenn created the “5 days for f2f for district 5,” a Facebook group to help organize the protest.

“I would like for her to give us something she’s looking at numbers-wise that’s going to get us to that goal.”

Board member Jan Hammond motioned to have the board make its own decision, directing the superintendent to return to in-class learning October 8.

Hammond’s motion failed by a vote of 4 to 3; however, Ken Loveless and Nikki Gardner supported her.

Board members Robert Gantt, Ed White, Beth Hutchison, and Michael Cates voted against it.