MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Schools in Monongalia County are now in session five-days-a-week for grades K through 8. On WAJR’s Talk of the Town, superintendent Eddie Campbell said the return to the classroom has been surprisingly smooth.
“I anticipated it would go well,” Campbell said,” But, it has really gone well bringing our kids back in full-time.”
For the last year, the administration and Board of Education have made plans, changed plans, scrapped plans and ultimately executed plans. The plans have included specialized training in cleaning, PPE procurement, building layout and contact tracing/investigations. Campbell credits the staff and valuable consultation with the Mon County Health Department.
“We have not dealt with one case that spread in any of our buildings,” Campbell said,” I think that’s incredible and I think it’s a testament to the work that this district has put in- our teachers, our administrators, our families and how they’ve protected our kids.”
Outbreaks have closed the Mason Dixon Elementary School for two weeks and forced a pause in athletics at University High School earlier this year. In both cases the virus was traced off site where it was brought into the school.
As winter sports commence, protection is the strategy, according to Campbell.
“Protect our students, and our student athletes, and our coaches and our teachers from the community at-large,” Campbell said,” Because that’s where we’re seeing our folks pick it up, it’s not in our schools.”
Campbell notes the decline in COVID activity, but they will continue to follow guidelines strictly.
“I will say over the last two weeks it’s slowed down significantly with community spread that we’ve identified in our buildings,” Campbell said.
Campbell says governor Justice acted quickly when the Biden administration moved school workers to the front of the line for the vaccine. Because of this, all Mon County workers will have the opportunity to get shot in the next week.
“At our next vaccination clinic we should be able to get a needle in every employee’s arm for the first time, who wants it,” Campbell said.
High school students attend based on the statewide COVID status map.