With September just around the corner, local school districts are facing a deadline to hold public question and answer forums for parents and teachers to ease concerns about reopening. (File Photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY - School districts in Chenango County are racing against an Aug. 21 deadline to host a series of meetings for teachers and parents in which they can share their plans for remote learning in the fall.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday that schools can reopen their doors and bring students into the classroom in September. However, with many districts planning a hybrid of remote and in-person learning, the governor mandated that they have at least three question and answer sessions before Aug. 21 to ease concerns and provide information.

“School districts have to be talking to the parents and talking to the teachers, because if the teachers don't come back, then you can't really open the schools,” said Cuomo. “If the parents don't send their students, then you're not really opening the schools.”