Illness Sends New Mexico Schools Back to Remote Learning

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(TNS) – Both Clovis and Portales school systems had decided to close their campuses and switch to remote learning by Thursday due to high rates of absenteeism of students and teachers due to illness.

The closing began with one school, Portales Junior High, with a Tuesday announcement that the campus would be closed for the rest of the week with a scheduled return to campus Monday.

Wednesday it was announced the entire Portales school system would be closed until Monday.

Thursday, Clovis Municipal schools opted to close all campuses Friday, going to remote learning and returning to class Monday.

Both school systems announced the buildings in Clovis and Portales would be subjected to deep cleanings.

Clovis Schools Superintendent Renee Russ said data to compare the absenteeism now versus a year ago was not available.

“Unfortunately, the way the state collected absenteeism data last year did not provide a mechanism for us to look at snapshots of different points of time to compare rates from last year to this year,” Russ said.

Russ said the system has created its own documentation system this year to facilitate comparison with future years.

Russ said Thursday’s decision to move to remote learning Friday came after a review of data revealing approximately 20% of the student population was absent Thursday, many staff were absent due to illness, and insufficient numbers of substitute teachers are available to provide coverage for teachers who are out. “Through communication with Fire Chief Nolen and County Emergency Manager Heerding, we became aware of the current strain on area health care providers and hospitals,” Russ said. ” It seemed to be in the best interest of the district, as well as the community, for Clovis schools to temporarily transition to remote learning.”

Portales Schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain said his decision to close campuses came after another school was short on teachers.

“I was told at least 5 more staff in that school were not feeling well and still at work,” Cain said. ” I don’t want sick students coming to school and I want ill teachers taken care of themselves and staying home to do so. Hopefully, this will give teachers, other staff, and students time to recuperate and when we get back the viruses will not be as troubling.”

Portales Assistant Superintendent Henry Montaño had absentee figures from this time in 2021 and now.

Montaño’s figures showed on December 6, 2021 there were 201 students and 28 teachers/educational assistants absent systemwide.

Systemwide on Dec. 6 this year there were 414 students and 47 teachers/educational assistants absent.