Majority of District 2 students back in school

The vast majority of students in Sheridan County District 2 returned to school buildings after the Christmas break.

School Superintendent Craig Dougherty said the district earlier this month was down only 21 students from the same time last year and the district was in fact working on getting six more back.

Although District 2 was closed along with other school districts in the state last spring, and instruction was delivered to students online, Dougherty and others with the district maintain that students need to be in school.

A national study released last month indicated that school closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected student learning across the country. Dougherty at the time said the closures in fact were devastating, and even District 2, which traditionally is one of the highest performing districts in the state, saw a regression in students over the summer following a spring of statewide school closures that forced students and teachers to virtual learning.

Dougherty said there are circumstances where online learning is necessary, and the district continues to offer virtual learning.

But, he said, where possible, the district wants students back in the school classrooms. He said that’s the most critical piece in education.