Person County students won't be in school for Nov. 12; officials cite lack of staff and 'safety concerns'

Students in Person County Schools will have all of Thanksgiving week off this year, not for a "mental health" break like other districts have decided, but because school officials are worried there are not enough staff to teach that week.

Person County Superintendent Rodney Peterson said their lack of staff in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving was a "safety issue."

"There is no way we have enough subs to cover all our elementary classes," Peterson said, talking about Nov. 12.

At least 30 teachers submitted vacation requests for the holiday, and even more bus drivers and cafeteria workers are going to ask off.

Already looking at the time off request, Peterson said 5 different school routes will not be covered for that week.

Teachers are so spread thin across the district, Peterson is worried about the students' wellbeing for that week.

"There's a lot of pressure on our staff. I think they're feeling it," he said during Thursday's school board meeting.

The school board agreed with Peterson, and said that having the Thanksgiving week off would be a good time for teachers to rest.

"Some schools call it a mental health day, I see it as a safety issue," he said.

Peterson said he is particularly concerned about not being able to fill all child nutrition positions.

"I can't thank our staff enough for what they're currently doing," he said. "Our teachers are going way above and beyond of what they're asked to do."

Nov. 22 and 23 would be additional planning days for teachers, the school board decided Thursday. Already in the calendar, Nov. 24 was an optional teacher work day and the 25 and 26 are part of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Peterson said beyond this year, he is also concerned about the district's elementary school teachers and additional training required for them.

Teachers will be required to complete a Science of Reading course two hours each week outside of the school year, which Peterson feels is too big of a burden for already overworked elementary school teachers.

"I've heard from the first cohort its like a graduate course," Peterson said. "These folks are still going to be ... covering classes ... and now we're putting the Science of Reading training on [them.]"