News

Staff shortage closes Bruce Drysdale for three days

By Gracie Milner, Special to the Lightning, Published: December 15, 2020

The Henderson County school system closed Bruce Drysdale Elementary School for at least three days after determining that there was insufficient staff. The rising number of Covid cases in the county contributed to the staff shortage.

“We could not safely instruct, supervise and operate a school without necessary staffing," Superintendent John Bryant. "As a board, we talked about this situation being on the horizon. We have to be prepared to close and choose to do so when necessary.”

When only one bus driver was available at one Henderson County school, the school pulled teachers and other staff members with a bus driver license to take the wheel for the day. Each individual school is adjusting accordingly as needs arise, Bryant said.