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Green County Schools move to virtual classes after increase in COVID-19 numbers in the community

The district has placed WiFi hotspots at buildings across the county for students who do not have access to internet.

GREEN COUNTY, Ky. — Green County Schools has entered the "red phase" of its COVID-19 reopening plan after the first week of in-person classes, moving to virtual classes starting Monday, Aug. 24. 

That is due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the community. 

The district originally laid out a reopening plan with three Active Case Index levels, based on a formula of cases that could potentially impact students in the area.

Credit: Green County Schools

Director of Finance Zachary Leftwich said there are 48 cases in the community, 30 of which are residents in a nursing home. Those residents are isolated, and therefore not includes in the Active Case Index. The 18 other cases raised the Active Case Index.

The Active Case Index looks at how many cases of COVID-19 are in the community that could potentially affect students. At this time, Green County Schools said their index has reached 7.98 out of 10.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear listed Green County as one of 20 counties with positivity rates at or above 10%. Beshear said those counties were in "a very concerning place right now."

The school system posted a video update on its Facebook page to inform parents and students. Superintendent Will Hodges said there was one employee at Green County High that had potentially tested positive for COVID-19. No students have tested positive, and no students will have to quarantine as a result.

Leftwich confirmed to WHAS11 the employee is a teacher. The teacher taught class on Thursday but did not exhibit symptoms until that night. They were tested and confirmed positive for COVID-19 Thursday night and did not teach on Friday.

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Community Members of Green County Schools: Due to increased activity of COVID-19 in the area, Green County Schools Active Case Index has reached the “red light” phase. The Green County Schools plan for reopening communicates the need for a long term closure once our index reaches this phase. At this time, Green County Schools would like to provide parents and our community a notice of a closure that will be necessary. The first closure date will occur on Monday, August 24. For planning purposes, families should plan for a closure of two weeks with a goal of returning to in-person classes after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 8 if our Active Case Index permits. Also, Green County Schools received unofficial notice today that an employee of the district received a positive diagnosis for COVID-19. Although unofficial, we consider this a valid notice. The employee that tested positive works for Green County High School and recently worked within the district. This individual adhered to mitigation procedures that have been published in our reopening plan. Once official, if there are individuals that have been in direct contact (closer than 6 feet) with this employee for longer than ten minutes, they will be contacted by our local health department in regards to quarantining procedures. Please help us as we keep this employee in our thoughts and prayers. At this time, the district is unaware of any students that have tested positive for COVID-19. The district will continue to remain transparent with our community and we will continue to take necessary precautions in order to maintain the health and safety of our students, their families, and our staff. Thank you for your patience and support during this trying time! #GCSchools #WeCARE

Posted by Green County Schools on Friday, August 21, 2020

Prior to Friday, 80% of the district's 1,600 students chose to go to school in person, and 20% chosen a virtual schooling option. 

Now, all students will be virtual which poses a problem for families without internet access. 

“There’s a wide disparity of internet availability in our community all across rural America,” Leftwich said. 

Thirty-five percent of families in the Green County School district do not have access to the internet.

So, the district has partnered with churches and businesses throughout the county to bring internet hotspots to students.

Students can bring their devices outside these hotspots, connect to the WiFi using their school device, and download any materials they may need for class.

The district has also worked to get students devices if needed.

“The district has purchased about $70,000 worth of Chromebooks,” Leftwich said. 

Hodges said families should plan for a closure of two weeks, with a goal of returning to in-person classes on Tuesday, Sept. 8 if our "Active Case Index permits."

In the meantime, the district is doing everything it can to make sure all students can keep learning.  

"It's been a wonderful week and we look forward to when we can get those kids back in the classroom again," Leftwich said.

There are a total of 10 internet hotspots throughout the county. You can find a full list here

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