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Joliet District 86 Board votes to stick with remote learning

Board could reevaluate decision in mid-April, spokeswoman said

By Alex Ortiz
A Joliet Public School District 86 flag waves in the wind Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Washington Junior High School in Joliet, Ill.

A Joliet Public School District 86 flag waves in the wind Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Washington Junior High School in Joliet, Ill.

The Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of Inspectors voted to continue remote learning for most students, possibly through the end of the school year.

The board made the unanimous decision Wednesday after reviewing the most recent COVID-19 data for Will County. Sandra Zalewski, a spokeswoman for the district, said administrators also considered the number of vaccinations completed locally.

“We will continue to review the data to see when it is safe to bring students back,” Superintendent Theresa Rouse said in a letter to parents. “Our top priority remains the safety of our students and staff members.”

The district has been utilizing remote learning since the beginning of the school year, when Will County saw an increase in COVID-19 cases. Then, the district again decided against in-person learning as infections spiked in the fall.

“We realize that remote learning can be a challenge for some students,” Rouse wrote.

Zalewski said the district has been allowing small groups of students with special needs, even some with internet difficulties at home, to attend school in person.

While the board’s vote was to keep students in remote learning through the end of the third trimester, which would be the end of the school year, Zalewski said the board can reevaluate the decision in mid-April.

Other large school districts in Will County are moving forward with a gradual return to in-person learning as new COVID-19 infections have significantly slowed during the last several weeks in Illinois.