South Western School District closes another elementary, middle school for COVID cases

Two more schools in the South Western School District will be closed for in-person classes until early December because of COVID-19 cases, according to a letter from the district.

Park Hills Elementary School will move to remote instruction from Tuesday, Nov. 24 through Wednesday, Dec. 2, the district said.

Emory H. Markle Middle School will be going to remote instruction from Tuesday, Nov. 24 through Friday, Dec. 4, the district said.

The district closed Baresville Elementary last week. It is expected to reopen on Dec. 1.

The high school, Manheim Elementary and West Manheim Elementary will remain open, the letter states.

More:School districts shutter buildings until after Thanksgiving break as COVID runs rampant

More:South Western School District officials closing an elementary school because of COVID-19

The district said in another letter that its decision to close the middle school was based on a lack of substitute teachers as well as the number of students and teachers in quarantine. The district was able to fill vacancies on Monday, but the number is increasing because more staff is having to quarantine.

South Western has had 18 positive cases districtwide in the past 14 days, according to its website. During the same time period, 48 staff and 400 students have been in quarantine.