This article is free to all readers because it includes information important to public safety and health in our community.
The Morgan County R-2 School District in Versailles canceled classes Tuesday due to a threat against the district and will switch to virtual learning Thursday due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The district canceled classes Tuesday because of threats of violence made on social media Monday evening. Law enforcement and administrators are attempting to track down the person responsible, Superintendent Steven Barnes said.
Barnes announced Tuesday that a two-week virtual learning period would begin Thursday due to a large increase in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks. The school board approved this Monday after the district consulted with the Morgan County Health Department, he said.
The district plans to return to in-person classes Nov. 5. Barnes said he expects to return on that date, but the virtual learning period may be extended if there is an increase in cases.
The district has eight active staff cases, 23 active student cases, 24 active staff quarantines and 266 active student quarantines, according to information on its website.
With teachers in quarantine and a lack of substitutes, the district was experiencing a staffing shortage, Barnes said.
"We had just gotten to a point where we really couldn't handle all the cases and all the quarantines," he said.
The eighth-grade class began virtual learning last week because of the staffing shortage.
All regular-season sports are canceled, but district and state competitions may continue for football, volleyball and cross county as long as students are healthy, Barnes wrote in a letter to families. Middle school practices will stop during the closure, and no outside groups will be allowed to use facilities.
The district is creating an after-school tutoring program for students who fall behind during the distance learning period. Barnes said he hopes to have the program ready when students return to school.
Last month the district had a virtual learning practice day where students stayed home and learned virtually to prepare for a potential closure.
"I feel like our teachers are ready," Barnes said. "We will have some struggles, but we're definitely going to be doing things different than we did in March."
Students are expected to log on to their classes at 8:10 a.m. each day and follow their normal school schedule.
Meals for students will be available during the virtual learning period via pickup or drop-off. Bus drivers will begin their normal drop-off routes at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays to drop off meals to bus stops for all students.
If your student does not ride a bus regularly or a bus does not normally pass your residence and you would like to be included in the meal delivery, call the transportation office at 573-378-4231.
Curbside pickup will be available at the east side of the high school from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. To use this option, email Daniel Palmer at [email protected] before 9 a.m.
There will also be evening meal pickup from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. To use this option, email Palmer before 2 p.m.