Baltimore City's school board will hold an online forum Thursday evening for parents on its plans to reopen schools.

Schools CEO Sonja Santileses has proposed opening 25 schools next month to preschool, special education, English as a second language students and homeless students.

Leaders of the teachers union and some parents oppose the plan noting it is not safe in buildings, and opening schools puts parents, teachers and staff at risk of COVID-19. 

Santileses told C4 and Bryan Nehman on Thursday that the program will build on a summer school program, which opened 15 buildings for in-person instruction and support with virtual classes. 

Santileses said she has been working with principals and other staff to get school buildings ready.

She notes the school system has spent $4.8 million on personal protective equipment for staff as well as cleaning supplies.

She also said the school system has hired more custodians to clean buildings and replaced air filters and air purifiers in buildings. She notes the air purifiers are not required by the CDC. Read more at WBAL