Vigo County School Corporation to push back the start of the school year by one week

Originally, the school year was set to start on August 11.

It has been pushed back one week to August 18.

They say this is not because of the COVID-19 positive rate.

One that plan has to be very good building to buidling" one more one more week of summer.

The vigo county school corporation has announced they're pushing back the start of the school year.

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

Today --the vigo county school corporation announced they are pushing back the start of school.

From august 11th...to august 18th.

News 10's sarah lehman sat down with the communications director for the corporation.

In your top story tonight... she has more on why they decided to start a week later.

The vigo county school corporation says they need a little bit more time to prepare for the start of school.

The corporation cites three things that were major factors to push back the start date.

"it is definitely not due to the rate of covid 19 in our county which continues to be low.

But i would be lying if i said it wasn't covid related."

Bill riley is the director of communication for the vigo county school corporation.

He walked me through the three things that caused the push back.

He says last week they were told their shipment of chromebooks for grades 3 through 12 has been delayed.

"it was a gut punch last week.

/// our teachers anticipated being able to use that tool in their classroom.

They need more time to react."

Riley says they bought the chrome books back in may.

Next -- he says there was an incredible response to families choosing alternative options.

"we need more time to move staff around.

We need more time to contact parents who selected that to make sure they understand what that model is.

We just need to make sure that from day one is a good educational model for all involved" he says they are working to improve the model for secondary school.

Finally -- he says each school still needs time to incorporate safety measures and make sure it fits their school.

"the way that each school will be able to live out those safety guidelines will look different due to the population of students.

Due to the architecture of the building /// i think our principals need more time.

We've thrown a lot at our principals."

Riley says he knows in person learning is more than just school.

That's why the corporation is doing everything they can to keep traditional schooling an option.

"they come to our school to hear an encouraging word from a teacher.

They come to our school to be fed.

They come to our school to feel safe."

Sara} riley says he does not think they will have to push the start date back any more.

He says he thinks one week is plenty of time to get everything in order.

Reporting in the newsroom.

I'm sarah lehman.

News 10.

Meanwhile... another school district in the school another