The Butler Area School District is changing course about returning to in-person instruction for students next week.

Superintendent Brian White posted an update on the district website Friday evening saying remote instruction will remain in use from Monday through Friday and that he will provide another operational update for the week of Dec. 14.

He said he made the decision after consulting with Dr. David Rottinghaus, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Butler Health System, who reported a “tremendous surge” in COVID-19 cases and recommended the district continue using remote instruction.

On Wednesday, the district announced that in-person instruction for elementary students would resume on Thursday and secondary students would begin cohort in-person instruction on Dec. 14. Those plans have been canceled.