Nakina Middle goes virtual for the rest of week

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Students at Nakina Middle School will spend the rest of this week in virtual instruction, Wednesday through Friday, the Columbus County Schools announced Tuesday.

     Staffing issues that grew much worse Tuesday, with numerous staff members moving to quarantine following COVID-19 exposures or symptoms, forced the decision, spokesman Kelly Jones said.

     COVID-19 data available from the district on Tuesday does not yet reflect activity from that day, Jones said. That data showed nine COVID positive tests among students and staff at the grade 5-8 school, with no quarantines.

     “Closing school facilities is a serious step that is only taken after much consideration of the health, safety and well-being of our students,” the school district news release said. “Nakina Middle has experienced rising COVID positive cases and quarantines in recent days.

     “While we desire to keep school doors open,  a significant portion of staff members at Nakina Middle have been required to quarantine or isolate, and with a lack of available substitutes, there is not enough supervision to safely and effectively operate the school.”

     In-person instruction is expected to resume Monday, Jan. 24.

     Look for more on this story in tomorrow’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.