Nearly one in four students in Cherokee County opted for digital learning for the upcoming school year starting on Aug. 3, the district said on Monday. 

The remaining students will be attending in person if they haven't made the decision to withdraw from the district completely. Parents had until Friday to choose whether to start students with "digital learning" and 9,500 students, or 23%, took that option, district spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said.

"The digital learning total will increase as we process approximately 700 pending registrations for students new to CCSD, as some of these may have chosen Digital Learning," Jacoby wrote in an email.

She said the district does not have cumulative totals for students who have notified their school of their intention to withdraw.

In contrast, Gwinnett County, Georgia's largest school district, on Monday changed course and decided classes will start remotely Aug. 12.

Gwinnett County Superintendent J. Wilbanks said he agrees with the idea that there is no replacement for face-to-face instruction, and that was the district's preferred model for starting the school year.

Schools in Gwinnett County had offered the same choice for in-person versus face-to-face classes, which teachers said did not take their health and safety into account.

RELATED: Hundreds Of Cherokee County Teachers Fear ‘Retaliation’ For Speaking About Reopening

“However, out of an abundance of concern for our students, families, and employees, we made a very difficult decision based on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases we are seeing in our county, as well as the concerns that have been expressed by our teachers, parents, and others in the community,” Wilbanks said.

The state saw 4,689 COVID-19 positive results on Saturday, breaking the previous record of 4,484 new cases in a single day set July 10.

The current plan in Cherokee County puts teachers and custodial and all other staff back in buildings Aug. 3 with hundreds of students who will not be required to wear face masks.

Teachers were not surveyed and don’t have clear options about choosing to teach virtually as opposed to in person, though many say they miss the children and want very much to return to schools safely.

RELATED: Crowd Protests Cherokee County School System Reopening, Demands Mask Mandate

More than 700 K-12 teachers, primarily based in Cherokee County, have joined Teachers for Common Sense Safety to express their fears over the district’s back-to-school plan.

“Even if they apply to be a digital learning teacher within the county, they're still required to report to the building every day,” Miranda Wicker said.

A petition signed by more than 850 community advocates asks Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower to ensure a safe opening regarding masking, distance, testing, sanitation and communication.

"We do not oppose reopening, but we are opposed to reopening without proper safety protocols in place," the petition states.

The Cherokee County School District does not anticipate changing its reopening plan.

"There are no plans to announce a change," Jacoby said.

Tags: Georgia  Atlanta  Macon  coronavirus  back to school  Cherokee County