Jackson Schools Following COVID Data For Reopening Wednesday

The Jackson County School System has closed Monday and Tuesday as COVID cases and absences spread around the district.

Director of Schools Kristy Brown said Jackson County High School had over 200 students absent, with absentee rates higher than 20 percent at all other schools. Brown said returning Wednesday will come down to the data.

“The known positive cases any new reports that we have,” Brown said. “Then of course, looking at the return of students and staff who are able to return after the isolation and quarantine period.”

Brown said she will meet today with district officials and nurses to determine COVID protocols moving forward. She said this will hopefully give clarity moving forward.

She said any changes in school protocol will be sent to parents by email and social media.

“The isolation quarantine of students, contact tracing as well as attendance and participation from students if remote learning is offered at any point,” Brown said. “And what teachers will need to be communicating to students and to parents.”

Brown said she is grateful the state has decided to make waivers available for remote learning when classes, grades and schools need to have COVID closures. She said that while district waivers are not on the table, this still allows flexibility to close without using stockpile days in the future.

“Because we did prepare for situations just like this by purchasing Chromebooks and devices for all of our students, we are able to switch to remote learning if necessary,” Brown said. “We also use Google Classroom for our district and teachers are familiar with that because of last year’s situation. So I believe that we will be able to proficiently offer instruction, remotely when necessary.”

Brown said she can’t say at this time if waivers for district closures will be necessary, but said she does not rule that need out.