MISD closes secondary campuses

Marlin Independent School District is one of many school districts across Texas that has come up with coronavirus cases. 

Parents have been receiving phone calls for more than a week, detailing each new case. 

After exceeding one percent of a positive school population this week, the district decided to close Marlin Junior Academy and Marlin High School from Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Friday, Sept. 25.

“This decision to transition to remote only instruction for the two campuses was not reached lightly and was made solely with an abundance of caution and respect for you and our students,” Superintendent Darryl Henson told staff in a mass email.

The two campuses will operate via Marlin Virtual Academy for these three days, reminding the community how essential the one-to-one technology ratio is within the district. 

A number of google chrome devices, as well as mobile hotspots, were purchased since the start of the pandemic, ensuring that if coronavirus-related events continued to strike, the district would be ready. 

Overall, Marlin ISD staff and students have taken every precaution to limit the spread of the virus, while continuing to battle towards “The Takeoff.”

Classrooms have been set for physical distancing, both staff and students wear facial coverings where applicable, and a rigorous sanitation schedule has been observed.  

“As a school district, we have made a promise to our parents and students that we will always do our best to keep them safe, communicate effectively, and maintain academic rigor (in that order,)” said Henson. “These measures are not effective enough, if we do not also maintain that commitment to student and staff safety while away from our campuses.”

Marlin High School, made up of 222 students, has had a total of seven cases. Marlin Middle School, with 197 students, has had six cases. The district has a total of 883 students and 83 staff members.