In-person education to resume on Jan. 7

The Peters Township School board on Monday confirmed a return to in-person learning for students five days a week starting Jan. 7.

Students also have the option to continue learning remotely.

Prior to going fully remote, about 70% of the district’s students were attending class in-person.

District spokesperson Shelly Belcher said Peters switched to remote learning because of staffing issues and teachers who may have to quarantine.

Ms. Belcher said without adequate staffing levels, social distancing cannot be maintained.

The state Department of Education recommends districts in counties with “substantial” levels of COVID-19 transmission go fully remote. If districts do go back to school in-person, they must sign a form stating it will comply with mitigation efforts.

Washington County is at a “substantial” level of transmission, which the state defines as a seven-day incidence rate greater than 100 or a percent positivity rate of grater than 10.

The return to school will also mark the opening of the new Peters Township High School on East McMurray Road at the site of the former Rolling Hills Country Club.

Ms. Belcher said everything is on schedule for the school to open on Jan. 7. Students can tour the school on Jan. 6.

In other business at the meeting, during the reorganization portion of the meeting, Thomas McMurray was appointed as president of the school board and Rebecca Bowman vice president.