Ringgold may return to remote learning amid spike in virus cases

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

The Ringgold School District alerted parents Wednesday night that a decision to transition to full remote instruction due to the region’s rise in COVID-19 cases could come as early as Friday, and the move could put a halt to all district athletic activities.
At the school directors’ public meeting Wednesday, Superintendent Randall Skrinjorich said Washington County has been recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to go to full remote learning if the county spends two consecutive weeks in the Substantial level of transmission rate of the virus.
According to the PDE, a county is considered in the Substantial transmission level if the county sees more than 100 COVID cases per 100,000 residents for a seven day period or if the county sees more than a 10% positivity rate for a seven day period.
If fewer than 10 new cases are reported in a county in the most recent seven-day reporting period, the county will automatically qualify as exhibiting a low level of community transmission.
The PDE says as of the week ending Nov. 13, the county was at a Substantial level. If the county ends this week at the Substantial level, the district will move forward with full remote learning.
Skrinjorich said the decision will be made Friday, and the district will alert parents as soon as a decision is made that day.
According to Skrinjorich, the remote learning period will last two weeks, with students expected to return to classes Dec. 7.
In preparation for the district transitioning to full remote learning, officials Wednesday approved an alternative option to the district’s Athletic and Activities Health and Safety Plan.
The plan states that in the event that the district be required to provide full remote instruction, all athletic activities will be suspended. Activities will resume when full remote instruction is no longer required.
The move to full remote instruction will also impact the district’s winter athletic activities, which will also be suspended.
In other business Wednesday, school officials approved the hiring of a new assistant superintendent.
Dr. Cathy Valotta-Taschner was named to the position, and her contract begins Dec. 1 and ends Nov. 30, 2025.
“We are pleased to bring Dr. Taschner to the Ringgold School District,” Skrinjorich said. “She has been an integral part of the district for the past six months. We thank her for her efforts and look forward to the work ahead.”