On Monday, a photograph on Spessard Holland Elementary School’s Facebook page showed teachers packed into the cafeteria for professional development training. By Wednesday evening, the school had to be shut down “due to multiple cases of COVID-19 impacting the school.”
“We are aware of eight confirmed cases of staff members testing positive at Spessard Holland Elementary,” Polk County Public Schools spokesman Jason Geary said. “Results are pending on some other staff members.”
School officials said Spessard Holland, just north of Bartow, would undergo deep cleaning to make sure it is safe for the start of school on Tuesday. On Thursday at noon, there were no cars in the school’s parking lot and no one was seen on campus.
“In the meantime, the school’s office will be closed until Monday, Aug. 9,” the Spessard Holland Facebook page stated.
In addition, Friday’s orientation has been shifted to virtual, with parents asked to log into a Zoom link on ClassDojo that teachers will provide.
At least three other Polk County Public Schools have shifted to virtual orientation, as well: Boone Middle School in Haines City, Lake Alfred Polytech, and the new Willow Oak Elementary in Mulberry.