INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS — Students in multiple school districts across the state wrapped up their school week learning from home, and it's likely more schools will have to make similar calls next week as COVID cases continue to surge.
Vice President of the Indianapolis Education Association Jack Hesser says schools are struggling.
"What we are seeing right now is a collapse," said Hesser. "We are seeing so many people having to call out or just testing positive."
On top of that, he says districts are having a hard time finding substitutes and bus drivers.
This week, multiple school districts say these staffing issues forced them to move class online.
"It's a staffing issue," Hesser said. "We don't have enough adults to be able to safely have school."
He says a local central office has been working in schools to try and fill the void, but it's not helping.
"We still didn't have enough human bodies to be able to stay open and I think that underlines the situation we are in right now. How wild and out of control this really is," he said.
With staffing stretched thin, contract tracing is difficult, even in smaller school districts.
"It's very, very time-consuming," said Dr. Tania Grimes, Superintendent of Southeast Fountain School Corporation. "And when you have multiple students in a day, it can be a full-time job for someone on some days."
Hesser says it can be frustrating for parents and staff when schools switch to remote learning.
"What teachers don't want to have happen are these last minute split second decisions where it's ten min before the school bell rings and a pivot to remote occurs," said Hesser.
He hopes districts come up with a plan to give families enough notice in the future.
-
Missing Clark, Fever soar past Lynx 74-59 to win WNBA Commissioner's Cup
The Fever overcame an early 13-point deficit with balanced scoring and a stout defensive performance against the team with the best record in the league.Fire at Tru Hotel by Hilton under investigation
No injuries have been reported from a fire that broke out on the roof of the Tru Hotel by Hilton on Tuesday afternoon.Ladies Under Construction launches new community initiative
Ladies Under Construction recently launched a program called Generations to Generations Connect. It involves visits from young ladies to residents at Arlington Place Health Campus on the east side.IU Indy makes a name for itself follo IUPUI split
Since IUPUI went defunct a year ago, Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis have developed their own distinct identities.