Blaine schools return to in-person classes, cases hit record-high prior to remote learning

The Blaine school district returned to in-person learning this week after moving class remote for last week’s four-day school week. 

Superintendent Christopher Granger announced the return to in-person learning in his January 28 community message, saying the district was in a much better situation from a staffing and health perspective. The district hit a record-high of Covid-19 cases the week before the district went remote.

According to the school district’s Covid-19 dashboard, on its website, the district had a total of 153 reported Covid-19 cases the week of January 17 to January 23. The week before it had 144 cases.

Communications director Lisa Moeller said when the dashboard is updated, the previous week’s totals are expected to increase as more test results come in. The dashboard said 118 cases were reported the week from January 10 to January 16, now it says 144.

In the week ending January 23, 54 primary school students, 27 elementary school students, 45 middle school students, 19 high school students and eight staff members tested positive, according to the district dashboard. Cases have dropped dramatically since.

Last week, the district had a total of 36 cases reported; nine at the primary school, seven at the elementary school, seven at the middle school, 11 at the high school and two district staff.

Testing is available this week on the north side of the middle school gym, across from H Street from the Boys and Girls Club, 10:30-11 a.m.

As the district continues to have staffing shortages in all schools and buildings, it is looking for substitutes in all positions. Granger encourages anyone with an interest in education or who would like to lend a helping hand to reach out to the district’s human resources department.