Murfreesboro City Schools will have kids in classrooms beginning in August after their board meeting.

The Tuesday night decision also gives parents the option for distance learning if they choose. The board vote was a unanimous 7-0 decision:

The city board also approved altering the school calendar, to mirror what Rutherford County Schools approved recently.

Interim Director of Schools Ralph Ringstaff says the system conducted two parent surveys on June 9th and July 6th:

All but about 50 of the system's teachers responded to that survey.

Ringstaff mentioned during the meeting parents will have to decide on the distance learning option a week before the start of school and will be able to alter their decision just before the end of a nine week grading period.

Board Vice-Chair David Settles, who recently lost his son to COVID-19, says we are dealing with the "new normal" concerning the virus:

Board member Becky Goff says parents are in the driver's seat as to the decision:

There will be significant changes in the system's schools, including social distancing measures, frequent sanitizing and face mask requirements for students. Teachers will also wear them in addition to face shields, which have already been purchased by the system.

WATCH THE ENTIRE CITY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING