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Citing rising coronavirus infections and related absences among students, teachers and support staff — and the burden that’s placing on the successful operation of the district — Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials have decided to pull secondary students back to distance learning in January.
Supt. Russell Lee Sung said in a special meeting Thursday the district faces a workforce crisis as more employees test positive for the virus or self-quarantine and as Newport-Mesa’s health department staff become overwhelmed by contact tracing and reporting duties.
Anticipating a further surge following the upcoming winter break, officials recommended middle and high school students return to distance learning upon the Jan. 4 start of the new semester, continuing to Jan. 22.