LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins announced Tuesday that Dixie Magnet Elementary will move to remote learning from Wednesday, September 15 through Friday, Sept. 17.
This decision was made to curb any possible spread of COVID-19.
“Expectations about class participation and attendance remain in place while we are learning remotely,” Principal Cynthia Bruno said in a message to families.
All students will take home their Chromebooks and receive instruction via zoom.
After several Dixie students and teachers developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID at school on Sept. 14 Dr. Liggins made the call for remote learning. Multiple students in various grade levels tested positive last week, and 130 students were placed in quarantine in the past two weeks.
Liggins said the elementary school's open classroom layout also played a part in the district's decision to switch to remote learning.
"With that concept, we can have upwards of 100 students in one open space," he said.
The district will re-evaluate the school's numbers on Sunday evening, Liggins said, to determine if it's safe to resume in-person classes.
"It's a minimum of three days, we're hoping it will not be more," he said.
This is the first time the district has used the 20 targeted remote learning days granted by the education bill Kentucky lawmakers passed last week.
Fayette County now has 17 days remaining.
"We appreciate any flexibility but it's not nearly the amount of flexibility that I think a district of our size and complexity really need," Liggins said.
Dixie plans to return to in-person schooling Monday, Sept. 20.
