As COVID-19 continues to spread across West Virginia, schools from every county in the state are beginning to close their doors, opting for a transition to a fully-remote education model. However, it is not just infection rates, positivity rates or the designation on the color-coded county map that is leading some counties to make this difficult decision. Staffing levels are also playing a significant part in the decision-making process.
Although currently designated as gold, Greenbrier County announced that they will transition all students to the remote learning model effective Thursday, Dec. 10. For the moment, students will remain remote through Friday, Dec. 11.
However, according to a statement released by Greenbrier County school officials on Wednesday, Dec. 9, “A determination regarding school attendance next will be made after the release of the West Virginia Department of Education COVID map on Saturday, Dec.12.”
Although the possibility exists that when the education map is updated at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, Greenbrier County will be downgraded to the yellow designation, or even green, that does not immediately suggest that students will return to in-person learning. Greenbrier County, as is the case in many other county school systems, is currently experiencing a staffing-shortage. And, by extension, the county is experiencing a substitute staffing-shortage, as well.
As Greenbrier County school Superintendent Jeff Bryant pointed out, “a lot of the substitutes are retired teachers.”
For some time now, the CDC, as well as state and local health experts, recommend that those over the age of 65 go out into public areas as infrequently as possible. Aside from the concern of possibly being exposed to the virus, with quarantine-restrictions and a higher-than-normal faculty absence-rate, substitutes are in high demand.
During his Wednesday, Dec. 9, coronavirus response media-briefing, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice was asked about the current staffing levels within specific counties, and if any state resources could be diverted to the school-systems to support their efforts to maintain proper staffing. However, Justice seemed to imply that the responsibility rests primarily with the counties, themselves, to ask for the assistance.
“As far as superintendents deciding that maybe they’d rather go remote and all that kinda stuff, I hope to goodness that we don’t have fragmenting,” Justice said. “I understand that they’re challenged by maybe not having enough staff and whatever, and I surely, absolutely want you to know that on any and every request, just about, that we have had from the Department of Education that we’ve been able to do anything as far as channeling additional funding, whether it be for virtual learning or whatever it may be, I’m up for it.”
Justice explained that State Superintendent Clayton Burch provides him with continuous guidance and advice regarding the needs of county school systems.
More information regarding the future status of Greenbrier County School’s in-person learning plan is expected in the coming days. The West Virginia Daily News will provide updates as additional information is made available.
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