Burrell staying with in-person learning for now as covid-19 cases increase in Westmoreland

Burrell School Board is monitoring Westmoreland County’s recent increase in covid-19 cases, but hasn’t decided whether it will make any changes to the way it’s delivering education to its students.

Burrell students now have the option to go to school in-person or attend virtual classes. The percentage of students taking in-person classes ranges from 67% to 83% at district schools, while the rest are taking virtual classes or enrolled Burrell’s eAcademy cyber school.

School superintendents in Westmoreland County have been meeting with the state departments of health and education to discuss the recent increase in cases.

Coronavirus transmission risk in Westmoreland this week increased from “moderate” to “substantial” as the county’s incidence rate jumped from 90.7 cases per 100,000 residents to 140.9 cases per 100,000 residents. A rate of 140.9 means about 0.14% of county residents contracted the virus from Oct. 9-15.

The Department of Education recommends that districts go to fully remote learning if transmission risk remains high for two consecutive weeks.

Burrell recently received Chromebooks to distribute to students and more are on the way, said Burrell Superintendent Shannon Wagner.

“If we had to switch to virtual, we are ready,” she told the school board Tuesday night.

Wagner stressed that going all virtual is a recommendation from the state, not a mandate.

While Wagner is concerned about community spread, there has only been one positive covid-19 case in Burrell schools, she said Tuesday night.

“On the other side of that, as superintendent, I am concerned about the well-being of students and how long this would last,” she said. “I am concerned about the social isolation, depression and food security.”

School Board President Tricia Shank said, “I don’t want to jump the gun now. If families are concerned, they have the choice to be at home. The district has been doing everything to stay safe. I think we should keep up the safety measures.”