ERWIN â Unicoi County Schools will remain virtual through Jan. 19 to allow officials time to assess the impact of Christmas and News Yearâs gatherings on the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Director of Schools John English announced the delay in studentsâ return to in-person classes at Thursdayâs meeting of the Board of Education. The board authorized English to independently make the call on whether classes will be conducted in-person or virtually prior to the August start of the current school year. On Thursday, English cited a rapid increase in active cases and quarantines among school system staff that left the school system unable to reopen schools after the Thanksgiving break.