Most of DeKalb County’s students returned to campus Monday after two weeks of complete virtual studies. Hopefully, things will get back to normal soon. Whatever normal is this year.

During the school board’s regular monthly meeting Thursday night, held by video conference, Director Patrick Cripps said student sickness was not the reason for cancelling on-campus learning, but the lack of faculty and staff.

“This is an ever changing situation due to the faculty and staff that have been affected,” Director Cripps said. “It’s not students the reason we canceled school (in person) its due to the lack of faculty and staff and how that has affected the different schools. I know it is frustrating for everyone and I want our kids in school. That is our goal is to get everyone back in school but we are facing challenging times and we have some things we are trying to work through to meet the needs. There will be some limitations when we do go back. There may be bus routes that can’t be run and there may be schools that open while others remain closed. The state made clear to us in the beginning that we don’t necessarily have to shut down the whole district but there are times when we will. Each situation is different but we will get our parents the information as quickly as we can.”

Students at four of the five schools in DeKalb County returned on Monday, November 16. The exception was Smithville Elementary School which will remain on virtual learning through Friday, November 20.

All five schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving break November 23-27 as had been scheduled according to the 2020-21 school calendar.

In other business Thursday night, the Board of Education set Friday, May 14 at 7 p.m. as the graduation date and time for the DCHS Class of 2021 to be held on the football field. The DCHS prom date was also set for April 9 to be held at the Capital Theatre in Lebanon.