Schools going remote starting Nov. 30

PORTLAND – Stunned by a sudden surge in COVID- 19 cases, the school system will return to distance learning for two weeks beginning Nov. 30.

The Board of Education voted unanimously to accept Superintendent of Schools Charles D. Britton’s recommendation following a 70- minute virtual meeting.

“This is not a lockdown,” Britton emphasized.

But with a sudden flood of new cases in the past dozen or so days, “We need to hit a pause button,” Britton said.

“Since Nov. 9, we have to face the fact that a tsunami has swept through our schools,” he added.

The spurt in new cases has affected teachers, staff and, in particular, nurses, he said.

The high school had switched to remote learning for three days last week after two students tested positive for the virus.

Contract tracing then identified 73 students and six faculty members who had been in close contact to the affected students. Another seven people were subsequently were identified.

The 86 students and teachers were told to self- quarantine for 14 days.

Britton’s comments to the board Thursday were buttressed by an analysis of new cases by Russell Melmed, director of Health for the Chatham Health District.

In just two weeks, the district recorded 200 new cases of COVID- 19, Melmed said, a rate of 34.5 infections per 100,000 people.

Most of the cases appeared to have been the result of small social gatherings, he said.

“This is not a blip,” Melmed said. He said it could be the second wave of the virus that disease experts have been warning about.

If so, “This is something we’re going to be dealing with through mid-January. It’s going to continue and even get a little worse,” he said.

“As a consequence, “We’re recommending that people get tested. More testing is better,” he said. “Testing is a really important component in this.”

COVID has already affected schools in town, Britton acknowledged.

In addition to the 86 people from the high school who are currently quarantining, one kindergarten class at Valley View School already is learning remotely. And the entire sixth- grade class at Brownstone Intermediate School is doing distance learning after a recorded infection.

Britton said it was important to announce the upcoming switch to remote learning in advance given the impact it could have on families.

Portland schools will be open on a limited basis, and the school will also provide takeout lunches for those who rely on low- cost meals.

In the meantime, “Our hope is that by mid-December we can get back to (classroom learning),” Britton said.

“This is a heck of a decision to have to make,” board member Lauren Christensen said.

“Let’s hope this is short pause,” Board Chairwoman Sharon Peters said.