Staff shortages force more area schools into remote learning

It appears a shortage of substitute teachers is catching up with area school districts. Citing a lack of staff, several area schools have announced a shift to remote learning this week.

Those schools so far include the Regional Multicultural Magnet School and Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (ISAAC) in New London and the Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton.

ISAAC, which reported a positive case of COVID-19 on Friday, had intended to open to in-person classes on Monday. Over the weekend, however, ISAAC Executive Director Nicholas Spera sent a notice to families about a shift to remote learning beginning Monday through the Thanksgiving break because of staffing issues.

After consultation with Ledge Light Health and the school’s medical adviser, Spera announced on Monday the school would extend remote learning through Dec. 4. In-person classes are slated to resume on Dec. 7. The school is to receive a deep cleaning during the break.

Groton and New London schools districts had already decided to shift to remote learning for the week following the holiday break. In Groton, school officials continued remote learning because of staffing issues and in New London it was done as a precautionary measure.

LEARN has announced that four of its schools would shift to remote learning this week. The Regional Multicultural Magnet School cites a high number of staff absences. The Marine Science Magnet High School announced on its website that “close contacts related to two school cases as well as multiple community cases has resulted in a number of Marine Science Magnet High School staff members needing to quarantine for two weeks. As a result, MSMHS will not have enough staff to safely or effectively open school and will remain online only through the Thanksgiving break.”

Both RMMS and MSMHS have plans to reopen for hybrid instruction on Nov. 30.