Two schools in Upshur County will be closed to students this week due to a lack of available teachers.

A phone message was sent to parents and a short note was also posted to the Upshur County Schools Facebook page.

“Due to a lack of substitute teachers, Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and Buckhannon-Upshur High School students will be fully remote during the upcoming week,” according to a press release. “Elementary students, however, will continue with face-to-face instruction under the blended model. Families who are uncomfortable with face-to-face may choose to keep their student fully remote and at home. Kindly notify the school. All staff, in all schools, will be in their schools during this upcoming week. Thank you for your patience and support. We look forward to seeing our elementary students this week.”

Upshur County has 71 active COVID-19 cases, according to the DHHR, and in recent weeks the school system has had several staff and students in quarantine due to potential exposure. Read more about this week’s school map calculation here.