Times-Chronicle Staff
It hasn’t happened yet, but COVID-19 could force the closure of a school in your neighbourhood. That’s why the district is preparing for the possibility.
Superintendent of Schools Bev Young said a functional closure is if and when staff cannot operate a school due to lack of workforce.
“We have not hit this threshold yet but we wanted to be prepared with a framework that would guide next steps,” she said.
In a letter to parents, Young said schools have been planning for continuity of learning if a school needs to be closed temporarily. For example, a shift to remote/online learning.
“We need to be prepared for a day when there may be a high number of staff away due to illness.”
Young said Interior Health could recommend a functional closure due to a high COVID case count in or related to a school.
The superintendent said the district will initiate a number of strategies to avoid closing a school, such as combining classes due to high student absenteeism. The district can also deploy staff where relief staff cannot be found, she pointed out.
Absenteeism of bus drivers can result in the closure of certain transportation routes. These closures will be posted on the district/school website by 7 a.m. that morning.
“This is a new reality and complexity for all of us,” Young said of the plan.
