By Kelvin Reynolds| 

December 9, 2020 at 6:17 PM CST – Updated December 9 at 7:06 PM

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – Tuscaloosa-area school systems announce COVID19-related changes that will go into effect before students are out for holidays. The changes will impact Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County School System.

Tuscaloosa City Schools will switch to all remote learning for the final week of the Fall semester. Superintendent Mike Daria cited an increase in students and staff testing positive for coronavirus and going into quarantine after the Thanksgiving Break. He said going virtual during the last week of class will create consistent instruction for students without putting more stress on teachers.

More than 500 people in Tuscaloosa City Schools were in quarantine last week.

“We certainly had a much greater increase in positives and quarantines than we’ve seen on a daily basis year to date. So that spike last week certainly caused concern for us and we’re continuing to see that,” Daria told WBRC.

Tuscaloosa County will switch to a staggered schedule for the final week of the semester. This will help reduce the number of students in school buildings at one time. Those changes will start on Monday.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT! #iBELIEVE