No novel coronavirus cases reported in January in district

As of Feb. 8, Vermilion Local Schools has not reported a single case of the novel coronavirus.

In-person learning resumed Jan. 19.

Superintendent Phil Pempin said during a Feb. 8 Board of Education meeting that the district’s staff has worked to sanitize classrooms in between classes and maintain social distancing and oneway travel in hallways within the buildings.

“It seems like schools are a relatively safe place to be, so we’re working really hard with our staff keeping it that way,” Pempin said.

Also, students at Vermilion High School may use lockers in the near future.

Pempin said the district is talking about allowing locker storage of coats to ensure students are wearing outerwear to and from school every day.

“We’re getting back to as normal as we can, but it’s still not like it was before,” he said.

Pempin said things have been quiet at the buildings, mainly in part to 25 percent of the students opting to go online only this semester.

“There’s a lot less kids in the halls,” he said. “It’s not quite full like it was before, so that’s changed everything.”

Pempin said the district has been speaking with the Erie County Health Department about teacher vaccination dates slated for the end of February.

However, depending on whether the Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations are administered to Vermilion Schools staff, the required second dose of the vaccine may fall on a date during spring break in March.

“Unfortunately, that could be an issue,” Pempin said.

He said he is unsure if the district can adjust its spring break like other Lorain County districts.

However, the district wouldn’t have to make changes if a Pfizer vaccine was administered, which requires a second dose 21 days after the first, rather than 28 days.