Crowley ISD moves to virtual learning due to COVID-19 surge
CROWLEY, Texas - Another school district is going back to all virtual learning for a while due to rising COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 case numbers and exposures at Crowley ISD are causing staffing shortages and forcing the district to move to all-virtual for the rest of the month.
“We had about seven of our campuses that were over the 20%. And so we were initially going to do those seven campuses. But the more we talked about it, the more we had discussions with our trustees and others,” said Superintendent. Dr. Michael McFarland. “It was real clear that we think we all could use the time away so we can give the virus a chance to run its course.”
The district has 173 staff and 621 students out after testing positive or coming into close contact, and the superintendent says everyone who’s currently in quarantine should be back by Nov. 30.
In light of recommendations from Tarrant County leaders, the district also suspended middle school athletics and is not allowing fans at indoor sporting events.
“With basketball there’s no audience and no concession because we recognize with concessions there’s no way to cover your face appropriately and eat at the same time,” said Dr. McFarland.
The decision caught some parents off guard as they’re forced to change their schedules around.
“It affects everybody. It affects work,” said parent Missy Vazquez. “I’m debating do I take him to work with me tomorrow?”
But others aren’t surprised.
Valerie Sharp has two kids and four grandkids in the district. One of her grandsons is in quarantine after a classmate tested positive.
“We’ve got to look at the overall issue here is we have a pandemic that’s not getting any better,” Sharp said. “It’s gotten worse and it’s affecting our children and again that could come into our homes.”
The district will reevaluate as the situation changes.
“Things change quickly and the numbers change and things change,” Dr. McFarland said. “We’ll review all of it and so the decisions we’re making right now are up until and through the Thanksgiving break.”
But some parents don’t think coming back Nov. 30 will be enough time to get a handle on the situation.
“Why not leave them out until January? Let’s start fresh, that gives them time to sanitize the schools, time to heal,” Sharp said.
“Pull the plug and say hey you know what this isn’t going away,” Vazquez said. “Just say, hey we’re not going back until after the first of the year and be done with it.”
Crowley ISD’s superintendent says they will come back and reevaluate where they are before in-person classes start up again on Nov. 30. The restrictions on sports will continue indefinitely.