On November 18, 2020

RNeSU hopes to continue in-person learning, local cases and staffing are a concern

By Lee J. Kahrs

BRANDON — The Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union wants as many kids in the schools as possible, but is poised to turn to all remote learning if necessary. The bigger concern right now is the holiday season.

Rumors have been flying that Otter Valley Union High School is planning to send all kids home and resort to all remote learning, but that is not the case, said RNeSU Superintendent Jeanne Collins.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that things are going well, but the focus on contingency plans continues,” Collins said. “We are not pre-emptively closing.”

That said, with the holidays approaching, the bigger concern is, will schools remain open if staff members travel for the holidays and then have to quarantine?

So far, Rutland County has not experienced the spike in Covid-19 new cases being felt in other parts of the state.

With 48 out of 50 states currently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, families planning to travel out of state for the holidays, or hosting relatives from out of state are posing a challenge for the schools. There is a two-week mandatory quarantine for anyone traveling from out of state once they return to Vermont.

Otter Valley Union High School Principal Jim Avery said the concern is that OV won’t have the staff available to teach students following the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. Staff members have been asked to communicate their holiday plans with Avery so he can try and plan coverage.

“We don’t have a bank of substitutes to call on like we used to,” he said, adding that he himself subbed just last week. “There are very few substitutes in the world right now. We only have a few and they’re maxed out. It’s just a reality. People get sick, not from Covid, but they get colds and it’s flu season. It’s a frontline business.”

If too many staff members travel and have to quarantine, Collins said it might mean closing classrooms or schools, leaving working parents scrambling for childcare.

“I’m constantly reminding parents that they need a backup plan,” Collins said. “Without staff to either teach or clean, we would have to shut down some classrooms or schools.”

And the district can’t forbid personal travel for staff members, so Collins said they are in a wait-and-see mode, but planning for the worst.

“It’s very worrisome because it comes down to it, do we have the staffing?” Collins said. “We are asking people to think about the impact of their decisions on the entire school community, because the high school would have to go full remote, so I want parents to think about ‘What if?’”

State Education Secretary Dan French said staffing was a concern before the pandemic, and continues to be exacerbated. “This emergency has brought the issue to the forefront,” he said. “Most schools can toggle between remote and in person learning based on availability, but it’s a very real concern. It remains to be seen if [the staffing issue] actually causes some schools to shut down.”

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

M&T Bank supports community center van service

October 30, 2024
M&T Bank representatives Marcella Hay (left), retail sales manager SVP, and Tara Buxton (right), branch manager VP, present a $2,500 donation from the M&T Charitable Foundation to Jo Ann Riley (center), Castleton Community Seniors director in support of the CCSI Older Adult and Disabled Transportation Program. The CCSI van service helps older adults and disabled…

Lt. governor candidate Rodgers wants Republican voters. Does he want the Republican label, too?

October 30, 2024
By Shaun Robinson/VTDigger In Vermont’s race for lieutenant governor a single label has been front and center. Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive/Democrat and produce farmer from Hinesburg, is facing a challenge from John Rodgers of Glover, a former state lawmaker who owns a stone excavation business and also runs a hemp and cannabis business, who…

We need a willing affordability partner, not just talk

October 30, 2024
By Mike Mrowicki Editor’s note: Mike Mrowicki is a state Representative for the Windham 4 District of Putney and Dummerston. For those experiencing sticker shock from viewing their property tax bills this year, you’re not alone. I get it. Or, I got it, as our tax bill soared on a 1,000-square-foot house on 2 acres,…

Quechee Gorge Bridge inconvenience to be extended

October 30, 2024
By Curt Peterson Drivers on Route 4 in Quechee have been calling the bridge over the gorge “Grumble Strip.” During busy times and tourist season, it can take several minutes to negotiate the way through the traffic signal and the single lane to the other end. Grumblers have a lot of company in their misery…