SALEM â A year after COVID-19 hit, rural schools across Oregon are gradually reopening. Rural school officials say the biggest challenges this year have been patchy internet access, wildfires, a shortage of substitute teachers and logistically difficult state-issued reopening requirements. But most officials say they're thankful they've been able to reopen. Reopening Peter Rudy, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education, said every school has to submit its own operational blueprint that gives "great detail about how they will be operating." More than a dozen rural school administrators across Oregon told the Capital Press it's been challenging to meet reopening requirements, especially a rule which requires schools to establish a minimum 35 square feet of room per person for classroom capacity.