School administrators in White and Stephens counties announced Monday they’ll join other area school districts in delaying the start of in-person instruction.
White County is moving to all online learning through January 15. Stephens is extending students’ winter break through Friday to give administrators time to assess whether they need to revert to all virtual classes.
In a letter to parents on Monday, White County Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett pointed to the current coronavirus surge as the reason for the change. “We have seen an increase in the number of faculty and staff that have tested positive or are quarantined,” she wrote.
White County Schools plan to resume in-person instruction on January 19.
According to Burkett, school, athletics will continue as scheduled for all students except for those quarantined or isolated for a positive COVID test.
Daniel Oldham, school superintendent in Stephens County, says administrators there decided to delay reopening “after consulting with the school principals” and Department of Public Health staff.
“If conditions do not improve, then we would have the parents pick up materials if needed on Jan. 8th for virtual/distance learning for the following week,” Oldham announced on the school system’s website.
