Pine City High School students should have started their first day of class this week; however, a last-minute announcement that a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19 threw a wrench in the district's plans.
According to Pine City Schools, the affected staff member, along with multiple others who worked closely with them, are now quarantining for 14-days.
The first day for high school students has been pushed back to Monday, September 14, so the district will have time to prepare for distance learning, but Superintendent Dr. Curt Tryggestad told WCMP that the district doesn't plan to stay in that model.
"Our goal is to have the kids here every day. Its been that since the beginning," said Dr. Tryggestad. "We have to consult with Pine County Public Health and our regional team. After that consultation takes place, and if our infectious rate stays low or goes away, then we can revert to either hybrid or in-person learning at that time."
If possible, the district expects that to make that decision between Thursday, September 17 and Thursday, September 24.
"This is a challenging time and I know many of you may be feeling stress or anxiety. We will get through this together as a community, and will be stronger when we emerge," Dr. Tryggestad said in a message to parents.
The decision did not affect students of the elementary, ALC, or Vision schools who started in-person learning on Tuesday.
