ATL Standard

Students in the Griffin-Spalding County School District (GSCS) have temporarily switched to remote learning following operational difficulties caused by the loss of several bus drivers to COVID-19, according to a FOX 5 report.

On Sept. 6, GSCS school officials announced the death of a transportation crew member, the third in less than two weeks.

’Three transportation staff members at Griffin/Spalding County Schools have died in the last two weeks, prompting the Georgia district to go virtual starting Wednesday," Brendan Keefe, chief investigator for Atlanta's 11Alive, said on Twitter. "Parents were asked to drive their kids to school today.’’ 

School officials confirmed with Fox 5 that as of Aug. 30, at least nine bus drivers were absent due to positive COVID-19 cases.

"Just thinking about the loss of life, it is traumatic and my heart goes to the families, employees and everyone who is impacted,’’ Superintendent Keith Simmons told WSB-TV.

Elementary school students returned to their classrooms on Sept. 13, however, middle and high school students will continue to attend virtual classes for at least another week and are not expected to resume in-person education until Sept. 20, according to an announcement on the GSCS website.

GSCS also reports that 41 students and 13 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.