Kiski Area High School to close next week over covid concerns

Kiski Area High School will move to fully remote learning next week, following reports of seven cases of covid-19 among students and staff.

The district said the school would follow a remote learning schedule from Monday through next Friday.

Career Center Students will still report on days they’re scheduled to attend the Career and Technology Center, a letter to district families said.

One staff member at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School has also tested positive, but that building will remain open.

“We will continue to look at all cases individually and base closures on information received and the recommendations from the Department of Health,” the letter reads. “It is important to consider if cases are community transmitted or school transmitted, and if the positive covid-19 individuals were in the building while they were contagious.”

The cases reported Friday bring the district’s total up to at least 14, including both students and staff.

It is the first time this school year that new cases have prompted a building closure.

Kiski Area joins other districts in the region now moving to remote learning amid surging cases of covid-19. Neighboring Apollo-Ridge, the Pittsburgh Public Schools and several schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh also announced moves online Friday.