Montco School Going Fully Virtual Due To Staffing Shortage

CHELTENHAM, PA — A large number of staff absences has forced a Montgomery County high school to revert to remote learning, as districts across the region continue to grapple with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

Cheltenham High School was forced into a "functional closure" due to the absences, and moved to virtual instruction beginning Tuesday. The new schedule is in place temporarily "for the next several weeks" as it deals with the constraints. The school had dealt with forced closures dating back to last week.

Most of the school employees who were unable to come into school will be able to continue to perform their duties from home, the district said.

We are pleased to report that nearly 90 percent of our colleagues who took leave will be able to support remote instruction starting Tuesday," Superintendent Wagner Marseille wrote in a letter home to parents.

>>Montco Schools Face Teacher, Staffing Shortages Over COVID Cases

The impacts hit more than just teachers; cleaning crews face a staffing crisis as well. The district noted last week that the absences were compromising their health and safety plan, which includes a rigorous cleaning regiment.

The high school will continue to hold limited in-person instruction for the most vulnerable students.

Functional closures have threatened schools in Montgomery County for months, and the threat is a factor considered by some districts in planning their hybrid learning programs. Both Hatboro-Horsham and Perkiomen Valley school districts recently saw their bus system shut down due to coronavirus cases amongst drivers.