KNIGHTDALE, N.C. — Jessica Beaird feels like the world’s caving in on her.
“I’ve never been more excited to go back to work. I thought things were bad before," said the mother of three special needs kids.
We watched as the work never stops as she tends to 9-year-old Saphira and 5-year-old Gabe.
"Kids expect a certain structure. There’s no way to teach them to separate school from home when they’re in the home."
Jessica is on the go for the better part of the day, keeping her kids on schedule, up to the minute. We tagged along for one hectic day and that was with her oldest away for hours at a day camp.
"At 7:30 at night when I can try to wind down for the day," says Jessica. "And by the time I go to sleep around 9 p.m., I'm just exhausted."
To help parents like Jessica, the Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction, Dr. Jen Mangrum says students with special needs should be the first to return, if it’s not safe to bring everyone back at once. Her approach to re-opening depends on two key factors; the state’s positive test rate and funding to ensure schools have proper personal protective equipment.
Republican nominee Catherine Truitt says the benefits to re-opening outweigh the risks. She’s in favor of allowing local school districts and health officials decide whether a school should reopen and who comes back first. She says students can't afford to lose a year of learning. Jessica's unsure how long she can afford to keep this up.
"I get hired to make custom clothing, wedding attire, do alterations, things like that. At this moment I’m not making as much money," Jessica said. "This weekend I’m dyeing someone’s hair just to make a little money.”