MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — One Monongalia County education leader is hopeful face-to-face classes can begin soon as around 12,000 Monongalia County Schools students are in their fourth week of virtual lessons.
Ron Lytle, the Monongalia County Board of Education vice president, told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM if once the state Department of Education allows in-person classes, there will be a “buffer week” to allow educators and administrators to make necessary adjustments.
“If we slip barely into gold and then slip out next week based on COVID fluctuations, then we’re back to remote the following week,” he said. “We’re really making it tough on our people to have a consistent model.”
Monongalia County is currently orange on the state Department of Education’s coronavirus map. The county needs a rating of green, yellow or gold for face-to-face classes to happen.
According to the state Department of Health and Human Resources, Monongalia County has a seven-day rolling average of 19.2 cases per 100,000 people. A gold rating would require an average of fewer than 15 cases.
Lytle said administrators, staff and teachers are constantly updating plans to maintain consistency in the classroom and reliability to families.
“Delivering that education to every one of those kids is a challenge,” he added. “It’s a challenge in normal times.”
Lytle also urged people to get tested for the coronavirus; Gov. Jim Justice and state health officials have pushed for additional testing during this week’s coronavirus briefings.
“It’s so important for people to hear that over and over,” Lytle said. “Go get tested.”
There will be free coronavirus testing on Sept. 30 at the WVU Rec Center between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.