Schools in Knightdale, Harnett County will hold remote classes on Wednesday due to staffing shortages

Families said they're torn over the decision as some scramble to make arrangements in their personal lives while others say it's the right move to protect the children.

In Wake County, Knightdale Elementary announced all classes would be held remotely on Wednesday "due to current staff shortages and/or large numbers of of student absences due to COVID-19."

According to the latest update from Wake County Public School's COVID-19 dashboard, Knightdale Elementary reported 13 positive student cases and no cases among staff members last week.

Officials with Harnett County Schools announced that classes would be held remotely on Wednesday for students at:

District officials said in a Facebook post that the decision to move to remote learning on Wednesday was because of staffing shortages and did not mention COVID-19.

"I'm not surprised ... They're saying it's because of staffing issues but ultimately it comes down to COVID is really bad right now," said Harnett County parent Khalilah Jackson.

Clarissa McNeill-Collaso said she’s disappointed the change doesn’t apply to every school in Harnett County Schools.

"If they would just give us, some of the parents, this option back, you cut down the rate of exposure to the students, the staff and the teachers," said McNeill-Collaso.

But, parents, like Amanda Brady, said remote would be "almost impossible." Brady is a single mother to four children, including a special-needs child.

She said a district-wide return to remote learning would impact her daily routine.

"I work all day. I have no time to stop and help my children with their schoolwork. It would be physically impossible," said Brady.

Since October of last year, mask wearing across Harnett schools has been optional.

Harnett Health pediatrician Dr. Lori Langdon is urging the school board to reverse changing course as the omicron variant fuels a spike in cases.

"With omicron, it's essential that everyone be maksed, because remember that your mask protects everyone else," said Langdon.

Jackson said he wouldn't mind a brief pause on in person instruction to stop the spread.

"Send them home [and] be remote for the rest of January. Let's start over," she added.