Due to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19, the Pleasant Valley School District has decided to move the high school to full online learning starting Thursday. The school is always closed on Wednesdays.

Superintendent Lee Lesisko sent out a notice to parents Tuesday afternoon.

“Previous contact tracing indicates that the virus is not being spread within the high school,” he said. “However, due to the recent substantial number in cases and increased safety concerns, we will transition to fully remote learning until Jan. 4, 2021. If between now and Jan. 4, we determine the time needs to be extended, we will communicate this information.”

In an interview, Lesisko explained that as the number of cases increases, so do the number of people who have to quarantine due to contact with those who are ill.

“We’re not going to have enough staff to teach,” he said.

Since several teachers have to quarantine due to contact with people who are confirmed positive, they cannot be in the classroom to teach, Lesisko said. But they can continue to teach online, as long as they feel well enough to do so.

At this time, Pleasant Valley Elementary, Pleasant Valley Intermediate and Pleasant Valley Middle Schools will remain open and continue to operate in the hybrid model.

All high school athletics and activities are canceled until further notice.

MCTI students will have to attend MCTI classes remotely.