News Update

Kern County schools face closures, disruptions due to staff absences

School staff absences due to the omicron variant in Kern County are causing school closures, bus delays and warnings being sent out to parents about potential shifts to virtual learning, the Bakersfield Californian reported Tuesday.

Bakersfield Catholic school Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the Mojave Unified School District cancelled classes Friday due to staff shortages, according to the Californian. The Delano Union Elementary School District sent a letter to parents encouraging them to have a plan in place for child care because the district could shift to virtual learning, and the shift “could occur from one day to the next.”

A letter to Bakersfield City School District parents, sent Thursday, warned that staffing shortages are “straining” the district’s resources and support, potentially impacting school offices, classrooms, after-school programs and buses. Bus routes affecting five Bakersfield district schools were delayed Tuesday, the Californian reported.

Norris School District canceled all its bus routes for general education students for two weeks, the Californian reported.