Students in Gaston County Schools' middle and high schools will return to in-person instruction four days a week starting April 12. Gaston County school board members unanimously approved the decision Monday following a presentation on COVID-19 metrics by Dr. Danny Benjamin, a Duke University professor and co-chair of the ABC Science Collaborative. Medical professionals at ABC Science Collaborative aim to help school leaders better understand COVID-19. Benjamin told school board members he believes Gaston County Schools successfully implemented the blended learning plan, which required two separate cohorts of students to attend school on opposite days. If schools continue to mitigate by wearing masks, social distancing where possible and cleaning diligently, sending middle and high school students back to the classroom on the same days, also referred to as Plan A, should be safe for Gaston County Schools, Benjamin said.