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BELLWOOD -- Bellwood-Antis School Board members voted Tuesday to continue all remote learning through Jan. 11.
The district began the school year with five days a week face-to-face instruction -- one of only a few in the area to do so. But on Nov. 24, after COVID-19 cases started to surface in the district, the board decided to move to full remote learning through Friday.
Board members were split on plans to continue with remote learning, but the motion passed by a 5-4 margin.
Voting yes were Hope Ray, Bob Fisher, Tim Mallon, Kathy Burch and Chris McCartney while Tom Finn, Kevin Luensmann, Jeff Nycum and Jeff Plummer voted no.
Finn was the most outspoken of the dissenters.
"The new virtual product is better than spring, but nothing can replace in-person instruction. I am concerned kids may fall into bad habits," Finn said. "My biggest concern is you will see a backslide; that is a concern and the threat is real. It is not if, but when, we need to keep full remote at a minimum.
"The state doesn't want anyone in school but doesn't have the backbone to direct it," he said. "I am adamant about getting these kids back in school. I will sit here and scream for these kids to be in class."
Superintendent Thomas McInroy said, "We are between a rock and a hard place based on the cards we have been dealt. They (state) have developed a trap. There is no local control; all is determined by the state. We have been boxed into this situation."
McInroy said that, according to the latest Department of Education guidelines, "If we have two to four people in a building test positive for COVID, we need to close three days for cleaning. If we have one, we don't have to close, but have to clean the building; if we have five plus people, we need to close the building for 14 days."
McInroy said Bellwood-Antis' biggest problem has been finding substitutes for staff members who have had to be isolated or quarantined.
As of Tuesday, the high school was down five staff; middle school, one; and elementary school, three.
McInroy also said at the present time there are no plans to furlough support staff employees.
"At this point, they are still being utilized. We are using all of our staff in some manner or form," McInroy said.
Board members plan to take a further look on whether to stay remote or return to in-person instruction at their Jan. 5 meeting.
Board members voted 8-1 -- Ray cast the dissenting vote -- to allow athletic activities to begin Monday.
McInroy said superintendents from Intermediate Units 11, 8 and 10 will meet Friday to discuss athletics for winter sports.
"The majority of those would like to see a delay in winter sports with elimination of state playoffs and championships at the end of the year. I want the kids to have an opportunity to participate in their sports in winter and spring," McInroy said.
Finn said, "In the fall, protocols were in place and followed, and we did well. Our school district, coaches and athletes demonstrated if they are given a set of rules, they will follow them. They should be given the opportunity to participate in their sports."
McInroy also called on citizens to contact their state legislators.
"What the governor and secretary of health have done is box us in. We need people to contact our legislators and voice their concerns with what has been done at the state level. There is no leadership there and I am not the only superintendent who feels that way," McInroy said.
"People don't realize our hands are tied," Burch said.