Union Public Schools officials announced on Wednesday all students will move to distance learning on Friday and won't return to their schools in person until Jan. 4.
As of Wednesday, Union had 27 staff members positive for COVID-19 and another 122 in quarantine, the highest numbers to date.
"It’s negatively impacting our ability to safely conduct school for students and the safety of our staff. This data, coupled with the recent Tulsa Health Department recommendation that in-person learning is not advised at this time, is why we are pivoting to distance learning for all grades for the remainder of this semester," Superintendent Kirt Hartzler said in a statement.
The district also had 48 students positive for COVID-19 and 443 in quarantine as of Wednesday.
Union is coming up with a plan to continue meal distribution while students are on distance learning.
The district's decision follows Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist's announcement Monday that TPS would move to distance learning through winter break. TPS had just pre-K through third graders back at schools in person. Union has had all grades back at school, but families were offered a virtual option.
