After 3 high schools were forced to shutdown lastweek due to staffing shortages, Lexington-Richland 5 agreed revert to hybrid learning for grades 7-12.

Students in grades 7-12 would return to a 4-day inclass instruction after winter break (Monday, Jan. 4), the district announced last week.

The school board also approved that the district make the last 2 days before winter break (Dec. 17-18) distance learning days for all students in 4K-12th grade.

Protesters for more remote learning were outside the board room’s window in sight of trustees during their meeting last Wednesday.

By a 6-1 vote, the board favored the motion to go back to 2 days a week inclass learning after having gone to 4 days a week only a few weeks ago.

Chapin, Irmo and Dutch Fork high schools closed Dec. 1 due to a high number of staff requesting leave.

The decision to close schools “was made out of an abundance of caution for school safety as several schools experienced a sudden increase of staff absences on Tuesday,” the district said in a release.

Dec. 1 was turned into an e-learning day for the affected students.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Melton recommended the district return to a hybrid model for 7th through 12th graders at the beginning of December. In the hybrid model, students are in the classroom 2 days a week and virtual for the other 3.

Melton said a rise in students in quarantine and staffing problems were the main concerns for the administration.