Education

Staff shortages in a COVID surge force another southwest IL school district to go remote

By Megan Valley
Ryan Boike speaks during a Belleville District 118 School Board meeting in this file photo.
Ryan Boike speaks during a Belleville District 118 School Board meeting in this file photo. Belleville District 118

Staffing shortages will force Belleville School District 118 students to be remote on Friday, Superintendent Ryan Boike said in a letter to parents on Wednesday.

While school is in-person on Thursday, students will take home their Chromebooks, chargers and materials with them for an e-learning day on Friday, with all students learning remotely.

“We will evaluate our staffing levels at the end of the day Friday and communicate if additional E-learning days will be needed next week,” Boike said.

Other school districts in the metro-east have been forced to make similar decisions, citing either staff absences due to sickness or quarantine or the growing number of COVID cases in the region and across the country.

Here’s what some other school districts announced this week:

  • Belleville Township High School 201 is remote through this week because of staffing concerns.
  • Cahokia School District 187 will be remote through Jan. 14.
  • East St. Louis School District 189 is remote through Jan. 14.
  • Edwardsville CUSD 7 is keeping its older students remote through this week, while K-5 students attend class in-person, as scheduled.
  • Granite City School District 9 will be remote starting Friday, with plans to resume in-person Jan. 24.
  • Mascoutah School District 19 students will be on an adjusted in-person schedule next week, with the school day shortened for middle and high schoolers.
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