WACO, TX — Another school in Waco ISD has been forced to move all classes online.
“This is what I have to do to keep others, myself and my family safe. To take extra precautions,” said local student Angela Gonzalez.
Waco High School is temporarily closing its doors due to a rising number of cases in staff.
“This morning we had 31 teachers out at Waco High School. 21 teachers then learned about a positive case that would take out another 11 teachers,” said Waco ISD Superintendent Susan Kincannon.
Kincannon said they’re also quarantining teachers who have been in contact with staff who caught COVID-19.
“We were short substitutes at Waco High School. Last week, we were short at University, we were covering classes. Based on additional cases, we just felt like we couldn’t be stretched any thinner,” said Kincannon.
Waco High is the fifth school closed recently in the District.
Kincannon said out of the 2,000 students at the high school, around 50% are already doing remote learning but Gonzalez said some students are having problems.
“It might be something that they’re not necessarily used to because I think I know that I’ve seen a lot of my friends basically complain about it,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also said the school was closed temporarily a month ago, so many students are familiar with working remotely.
Kincannon said they’ve provided students with laptops and hotspots so they can continue their classes away from the classroom.
Superintendent Kincannon said the school can quarantine up to five days but they’re working with the state to close until after Thanksgiving.
