Pickett Co. Schools Facing Technology And Staff Shortages

Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said technology is at the forefront of the school system’s COVID problems.

“Right now, we do not have enough technology,” Elder said. “We have close to 300 Chromebooks ordered. Our estimated delivery is anywhere from the end of November until the end of February.”

Elder said the classrooms are the ones lacking the laptops while about 40 students learning virtually have what they need. At the same time, Elder said the district is facing substitute teacher and bus driver shortages. A bus driver recently resigned with a school maintenance worker filling the position temporarily.

“We have some teachers that our on quarantine. Most of it is because they have a household contact and we are dealing with that,” Elder said. “Our biggest issue has been finding substitutes to take their places and we need bus drivers. We need a bus driver.”

As for COVID, Elder said the school system has adapted well with no outbreaks and only a hand full of quarantined teachers and students.

“Everything is going amazingly well,” Elder said. “If you would have asked me in the middle of July how long I would think we would be in person, I would have probably said until the end of August, but here we are November the 9th, and we are still here.”

Elder said all teachers have worked long hours to make learning possible while dealing with COVID precautions and technology accessibility.