By Debbie Hall and Taylor Boyd
In a narrow 3-2 vote at Friday’s emergency meeting of the Patrick County School Board, members decided to begin classes virtually on Aug. 11, with plans to re-evaluate that decision at their Aug. 27 meeting.
The initial plan included two options — a virtual option and a part-time classroom option, with two groups of youngsters attending classes at least two-days each week.
The emergency meeting was held after learning that four people in the school community tested positive for COVID-19, and several others were quarantined due to possible exposure. Additionally, an outbreak also was reported at a local long-term care facility.
Board members debated virtual versus in-class instruction, with all reaching an informal consensus that in-class is the preferred method.
However, the pandemic has prompted concerns about potential staffing shortages, quarantine measures and closures if or when students and/or staff become ill or test positive for the virus, and other issues.
Federal regulations state that teachers in quarantine are unable to teach during their 14-day quarantine, even if they wish to do so. That issue also may be a factor in staffing concerns because there are not enough substitute teachers to cover the classes of those teachers currently in quarantine.
Patrick County Schools Superintendent Dean Gilbert recommended beginning the new school year with an all virtual option.
“If we have students in the building, we fully expect that we’re going to fully close down,” Gilbert said. “We have to take precautions to get this thing under control.”
“Students haven’t even come in yet, and there’s already been suspected cases in this building,” Shannon Harrell, of the Blue Ridge District, said.
Amy Walker, of the Mayo River District, said she is concerned about the negative effects of virtual learning.
“We’re missing out on a whole bunch of things such as depression, suicide, malnutrition while like the kids are at home. And that outweighs, for me, far greater (than) the risk of them coming to school and catching COVID,” Walker said, adding that she felt “the safest place they can be is at school. They’ve traveled, they went to the beach, played travel ball.”
Ryan Lawson, of the Peters Creek District, said he is concerned about the logistics of virtual learning, and wanted to push back the reopening date, and use the week of Aug. 11 as an orientation week for students and parents to become familiar with the virtual learning platforms and technology.
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Andrea Cassell said that “teachers would love that,” because it would give them a chance to make sure that everyone could access virtual learning and know what to do. She also noted that administrative and other staff have worked hard to ensure that would happen regardless.
A main point of both discussion and opposition to virtual learning was the lack of internet access in many parts of the county.
“School parking lots are set up as Wi-Fi hotspots, and other areas in the community like churches are hotspots as well,” Cassell said.
Gilbert noted that “so far three school buses are set up as Wi-Fi hotspots,” and can be used throughout the county for students to use to attend virtual lessons and submit work if needed to access virtual learning.
Cassell and Gilbert both said that accountability will be important this year for students and teachers, and that even with a different standard for submissions and grading, students still need to complete and submit their work in a timely manner. Teachers will check in and interact with students daily.
School buses will also be used to deliver meals to students. However, unlike last year, the meals will only be delivered to enrolled students. The meals can be delivered to the students’ doors instead of being picked up at the nearest school.
“We don’t have the right perfect plan, no matter which way we go,” Brandon Simmons, chairman of the Patrick County School Board, said during the discussion.
Walter Scott, of the Smith River District, made the motion to hold all classes virtually.
Simmons seconded the motion that also was supported by Shannon Harrell, of the Blue Ridge District.
Walker and Lawson voted against the measure.
As of Monday, Aug. 10, data from the Virginia Department of Health suggested there are 158 cases in the county, with 33 hospitalized and four dead.
School officials will continue to work closely with health officials, and recommend guidelines that include social distancing, wearing masks and frequent handwashing, be followed.
For more tips to stay safe, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.
