Students is Carteret County public schools will return to all-remote classes for the first two weeks after the holiday break. The Carteret County Board of Education voted Wednesday to have all students attend school Jan. 6 through Jan. 19 via remote learning. The vote was made during a emergency session of the board, according to a news release from Carteret County Public Schools. The decision was based on the county's spike in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving holiday and the predicted spike in cases to follow the winter break. "The Carteret County Board of Education members recognize the importance of face-to-face instruction and have been very pleased to have so many of our students attending school for face-to-face instruction," Superintendent Rob Jackson said in a statement. "(Wednesday’s) decision was not an easy one for the board members but was made out of an abundance of caution. I greatly appreciate our Board of Education's dedication and commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff members."