A number of parents spoke at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting, in which they thanked the Board for working to keep schools open and stressed the importance of their children receiving in-person instruction.

The School District has been in a protracted battle with the Teachers Union over school openings, with the District arguing that Lakewood’s students, the vast majority of whom are underprivileged, are being deprived a thorough and efficient education when taught remotely, while the Union says that teachers are being put at unnecessary risk of contracting Covid-19.

A recent study by the CDC has bolstered the District’s argument, showing that in-person instruction is safe when proper precautions are taken, and statistics released by the Lakewood School District suggest the same, as well.