Local school districts are planning to expand in-person instruction in schools now that they have the blessing of the Chester County Health Department, reports Rebeccah Hendrickson for 6abc.com.

“I think that students need to get back into our schools. It’s best for students to be in classrooms learning,” said Dan McGarry, the superintendent of Upper Darby School District.

There are 29 districts in Delaware and Chester counties looking at in-person expansion following updated guidance from the health department.

The guidance reduces the six-foot social distancing recommendation in schools to three feet.

School superintendents in the two counties received a health department letter Friday recognizing the urgency of bringing students back into class. A decision could put students in classes by mid-March.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association, representing teachers, is against the change.

“What we need is to prioritize teachers in terms of getting the vaccine, we need to be looking at improving the ventilation system in all of our schools,” said Nancy Dunn, a middle school Spanish teacher and t president of the Chichester Education Association.

The union also points out the CDC still recommends six feet distancing.

Learn more at 6abc.com about returning students to the classroom.