Schools put brakes on in-person start

WISE — The county school system will open today as originally planned, but students won’t be in classrooms.

In an emergency meeting Monday, the school board addressed multiple parental and staff concerns about opening in-person too early. The board voted 6-2 to have students attend virtually for the first four weeks until Sept. 18.

The school board also agreed that it needed to review the current health metrics before allowing students to begin the hybrid model for learning.

When originally approved, the hybrid model would have students in class two days per week. Group A would attend on Monday and Tuesday while Group B would be in school on Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays would be reserved for deep cleaning and remote learning. All students and their parents would still have the option choose an all-remote option.

Schools Superintendent Greg Mullins shared information provided by LENOWISCO Health District Director Dr. Sue Cantrell. The data reflected a significant increase in cases over the last four weeks, with Southwest Virginia continuing to post substantial transmission rates.

Cantrell’s data indicated the infection burden rate shows a steady, upward trend. A month ago, there were 13.2 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people and a test positivity rate of 16.3 percent. Monday’s update shows there are now 40.6 cases per 100,000 and a 21.6 percent test positivity rate.

Mullins shared data from surrounding areas as well for comparison. Norton’s rates show 18 cases per 100,000 people and a test positivity rate of 9 percent. Lee County’s rate is approximately 20 cases per 100,000 with a 7.6 percent test positivity rate. Scott County, which has chosen to have its fourth grade through 12th grade students begin the year virtually, has an infection burden rate of 17 cases per 100,000 and 18 percent test positivity rate.

Mullins added that when a school system is seeing the significant community spread, the Virginia Department of Health recommends going to a more restrictive learning environment.

Mullins also advised the board that the number of families requesting to be fully virtual has increased from approximately 1,700 at the time of previous Tuesday’s meeting to close to 2,000.

Board member John Graham questioned how many county teachers have either contracted or been tested for COVID-19. Mullins advised that around 20 staff members had been tested or were in quarantine while 12 of those had tested positive. Graham added that five staff members at Central High School have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Graham also expressed his concerns about being able to find substitute teachers.

Board member Donnese Kern wanted to know if those 20 cases were in just one area or spread out over the county. Mullins advised there were two areas which had the largest number of cases, but there are cases in all areas of the school district.

Board members Mark Raymond and Martha Jett cast the two no votes.

Raymond, a dentist, repeatedly expressed skepticism on testing and positivity rates, once stating it seems as if the government wants people to test positively. Jett’s concerns were more focused on the well-being of children who may not have proper access to food or who may face potentially abusive home lives.

Jett was also concerned about single parents who do not have access to child care and children being left on their own.

Jett pointed out that the number of child abuse cases being reported has gone down, but that is not necessarily a good thing.

“That’s because they are not being reported,” Jett said. “Those are the children that we have to consider, not just people with COVID.”

Board member Herb Shortt expressed concerns of school staff members who are concerned about bringing children back too early. But, Shortt also expressed his concerns about students being left behind without in-person instruction.

Kern spoke about a grandmother who is responsible for 12 of her grandchildren who are in county schools. The grandmother is worried about being exposed to COVID-19 and becoming ill if the children return to school.

Mullins confirmed that the schools would still be providing meals to children. But, they would convert the program from feeding all children in a household to only feeding students.

Raymond remarked that “the concept of trending in the wrong direction is relative” based on the local population. He also remarked that the most recent Virginia Department of Health data shared in the meeting still shows “relatively insignificant numbers” and said infection rates “trending up is trending up from almost nothing.”

Raymond also brought up concerns about younger students not understanding how to take classes virtually.

Jett brought up additional concerns about how potentially changing the start date and/or going to an all-virtual learning environment would affect aides and bus drivers. Mullins advised many employees would still have jobs, although “it might look a bit different for them.”

Graham made the motion to begin with four weeks of virtual instruction and to change the board’s Sept. 8 regular meeting to Sept. 15, giving the board the opportunity to review the most recent health metrics. This was seconded by Shortt and passed by Chairman Larry Greear, Vice Chair Phillip Bates, Vicki Williams and Kern.