Sandusky students, staff test positive for COVID-19

SANDUSKY — The coronavirus has infected a handful of Sandusky Schools students and staff. About five to 10 people from the district have recently tested positive for COVID-19, Sandusky Schools and the Erie County Health Department confirmed with the Register on Monday. Superintendent Eugene Sanders said five coaches and 14 students were recently quarantined after coming in contact with infected individuals. The Register is working to get COVID-19 case data from other local school districts. The news of confirmed cases comes as schools start to share reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year. Huron and Sandusky schools want to use a hybrid plan, meaning both virtual and in-person learning will occur. Students at these districts would attend in-person classes on different days to prevent spreading the coronavirus so school buildings can maintain 50 percent capacity each day. One day each week at both districts will be dedicated to small group instruction and providing help to students. During a recent "Between the Lines" program, Sanders and Huron Schools superintendent Dennis Muratori said having a hybrid plan allows their districts to pivot if new state mandates occur. Huron and Sandusky pushed back first days of school to provide training for teachers and staff. Huron students will now return Aug. 31 and Sandusky students will go back Sept. 3. All Sandusky and Huron students will be given an electronic device for online assignments. Families in need of internet access will be connected by a local provider. Both districts will provide online learning options for families uncomfortable with sending their children to school. "There's no substitute for time in front of a highly qualified teacher," Muratori said. "We learned so much before from the spring that we're much better positioned to (have virtual learning) and offer quality educational opportunities." Perkins Schools seeks to bring students back to school buildings five days a week and has an online learning option for families who prefer to stay home. Board members were supposed to decide on the plan last week, but the public meeting was canceled by the Erie County Health Department for attendance restrictions due to the pandemic. Sandusky Central Catholic School plans to stagger start dates based on students' last names for the first two weeks of school. On Sept. 8, in-person learning will resume for all students. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood