COVID-19 outbreaks force two Burke County schools to close

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — The Burke County School District closed two schools in the county for at least a week after more than half of staff and students caught COVID-19 or had to quarantine after an exposure, officials said.

On Monday, the district announced that North Liberty School in Morganton would be closed beginning Jan. 11 until at least Jan. 18. Last week, Hallyburton Academy in Drexel was shut down as COVID-19 cases surged at the school.

Staff from both schools who aren’t positive and weren’t exposed could be reassigned to cover shortages at other schools, according to a news release from the district.

The district sent the following message to families at North Liberty:

“Hello North Liberty families. This is Cheryl Shuffler with Burke County Public Schools calling on behalf of your school to inform you that due to a high number of positive COVID-19 cases, isolations and quarantines at North Liberty, the school will be closing for students starting Tuesday, Jan. 11 through at least Tuesday, Jan. 18. We are hoping to resume classes on Wednesday, Jan. 19. We will update you if our return to class date changes. Thank you and have a great day.”

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty found out 128 teachers requested substitutes Tuesday and the district was only able to fill 51 of those positions. Not all of the absences were COVID-related, but the virus has had a huge impact on the district. Since returning last week, 67 teachers tested positive for the virus, 27 are in isolation with symptoms, and 86 are in quarantine.

The Burke County school board voted Monday night to make masks mandatory again for all students and staff after the two schools were forced to close.

Faherty spoke with a number of parents who were glad the board voted 4 to 2 to require masks again.

“I think they should have kept the masks on because kids are spreading, they’re always spreading things not realizing it and not knowing it,” said Hannah Shorthouse, a mom in Burke County.

“My kids have always been wearing masks so I don’t know why we didn’t do it when we first came back after the New Year,” said father Kou Thao.

The school district said it plans to do deep cleanings at both of the schools that have been closed, but even that has been delayed because of staff shortages among the janitorial staff.

One grandmother told Channel 9 the teachers from the two schools need to be reassigned to her granddaughter’s school west of Morganton.

“All of her teachers are out because of COVID but one,” Jackie Rich said. “How many teachers? She’s got four teachers.”

Rich believes the district should consider going back to remote learning, but other parents like Kimberly Small believe it’s important for the kids to stay in school. One of her children had to quarantine because of a possible exposure.

“I think it’s crazy because the kids need to be in school to learn,” Small said.

Check wsoctv.com for updates.

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