LAGRANGE, IN - Students at Lakeland Community Schools in LaGrange are home for a week as the school district simply ran out of teachers and substitutes to fill all of their classrooms.

The Lakeland School District reverted to virtual classes systemwide starting Wednesday. The measure will last for one week.

The staff has reportedly been hit recently by COVID-19 infections and other winter illnesses. Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker said between the number of teachers testing positive for COVID-19, requiring they spend time in quarantine, and teachers afflicted by typical Indiana winter illnesses like the flu, the district simply ran out of enough teachers to staff all its classes. Baker said at least 17 teachers were out with illness. As a result, the district was unable to find enough qualified substitute teachers.

The Jr. High School Winter Wonderland Dance has been rescheduled for January 28th. All other extracurriculars will go on as scheduled.

The school district made the announcement Tuesday.

In-person learning will resume on Thursday, January 20th.