Bath County Public Schools have shut down in-person instruction through September 17 due to COVID-19. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
The approximately 500 students enrolled in Bath County Public Schools switched to virtual education this week. Superintendent Sue Hirsh told WMRA that the decision was prompted by two issues: first, two of the division's bus drivers tested positive for COVID, and Hirsh could not find substitutes for them.
She explained that, with Bath County encompassing more than 520 square miles, many students have an hour-long bus ride to get to school, so many would not be able to make that commute while the bus drivers are out of commission.
Second, the bus drivers are among three staff and nine students who have tested positive for the virus, causing many students at both the elementary and high school level to go into quarantine. Assuming they did not contract the virus, most of those close to the students and staff who tested positive will be cleared to return to the classroom by Monday, September 20, when in-person instruction is scheduled to resume.
