By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The fate of K-12 education in the state is in the hands of all Ohioans, according to Gov. Mike DeWine who gave state residents a type of ultimatum on Wednesday.
He issued new mask orders for businesses, new limits on large gatherings, and possible closures of restaurants, bars and gyms if Ohio’s COVID numbers continue their steep climb.
As for K-12 schools, DeWine stated that most children are better off in school than learning remotely. However, as the COVID rates spike, some schools are forced to shift from in-person to virtual learning.
The governor pleaded with Ohioans’ to take precautions to slow the virus so kids can stay in school.
Public health officials have said the virus isn’t being spread in school settings – but rather by the personal choices made by people outside of schools.
Some schools in this region of the state are experiencing spikes now, including Toledo Public Schools which recently announced its decision to return to virtual learning.
Schools have to follow strict rules anytime staff or students come into contact with COVID.
Anyone who has been in close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to quarantine for 14 days from the date of close contact. The quarantine may end after 14 days only if the individual was symptom-free the entire time. An individual who receives a positive test result must isolate for 10 days from the day the test was taken. The individual may return after 10 days as long as he is symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications.
In Wood County, some schools are making changes as their numbers make a sharp incline. Following are some of the latest COVID numbers available from local school districts:
- Perrysburg (Oct. 30 to Nov. 5): Employees quarantined, 24; students quarantined, 174; employees isolated for positive or presumptive positive test, 6; students isolated for positive or presumptive positive test, 7; employees isolated for COVID-19 symptoms, 5; students isolated for symptoms, 25.
- Penta Career Center (Nov. 2 – 6): COVID positive staff, 2; COVID positive students, 6; Absent due to precautionary quarantine or COVID isolation: 116 students and 9 staff. Penta has gone back to hybrid classes, with half the students in school two days, the other half on another two days, and remote learning for three days.
- Eastwood (Nov. 5): Students testing positive, 2; staff testing positive, 0; students under quarantine, 70; staff under quarantine, 6. Eastwood has switched from “yellow” to “green” and now back to “yellow” hybrid which has half the students attending school on two days, and the other half on another two days.
- Elmwood (Nov. 3 -10): Employees quarantined, 4; students quarantined, 67; employees isolated, 3; students isolated, 3.
- Lake (Nov. 6): Employees quarantined, 6; students quarantined, 10; employees isolated, 1; students isolated, 1.
- Otsego (Nov. 10): Employees quarantined, 2; students quarantined, 34; employees isolated, 0; students isolated, 1.
- Rossford (Nov. 6): Students isolated, 3; staff isolated, 2; students quarantined, 77; staff quarantined, 7.
- Bowling Green (Nov. 3): Employees quarantined, 3; students quarantined, 10; employees isolated, 2; students isolated, 0.
During his press conference, DeWine pointed out that schools cannot stay open if they can’t keep teachers in the classrooms and drivers in the buses. Some districts are already struggling with finding substitutes – and it is expected that filling those spots will get more difficult as winter comes.
Bowling Green City Schools is the only district in the county to remain entirely remote. After seeing the increases in COVID cases in surrounding districts, BG Board President Ginny Stewart said the numbers are important.
“I think it’s unfortunate what these numbers are,” she said. “I would have liked to see the numbers not doing what they are – for their sakes and as guidance for us.”
Whether schools are remote, hybrid or in-person, this is a trying time, she said.
“It’s difficult for families,” Stewart said. “We do know that it’s been difficult.”
Though many parents have been asking for Bowling Green to offer some form of in-person learning, Stewart said there are benefits to the consistency offered by BG schools. Transitioning back and forth from remote to in-person classes is difficult for students and teachers, she said.
“It’s disruptive to go back and forth,” she said. “It reinforces that we’ve been able to keep a consistent mode of education.”
