Students in the South Butler County School District who are sick or quarantined due to COVID-19 will continue to receive a livestream of their classes, but parents will not be given the option to use remote learning in the upcoming school year.

Superintendent David Foley sent a letter to parents late last week detailing the educational protocol for those who must quarantine due to exposure to the virus or who are sick at home.

Foley said remote learning and livestreaming classes in the past school year were a challenge for students academically, socially and emotionally.

He also said livestreaming classes for the many students learning at home once schools reopened proved disruptive to students attending class at their schools.

Because Foley and other administrators believe the best education takes place when students attend school and learn in front of their teachers, remote learning will not be offered in the upcoming school year.

Foley said unlike last year, livestreaming will only be used in classes in which a student is sick or quarantining due to COVID-19.

“Livestreaming will not be an option otherwise,” Foley said.

Teachers will only turn on the livestream cameras if a student has tested positive for COVID-19 or is in quarantine due to exposure to a positive case.

If a student is awaiting test results, livestreaming will be available, but they will be marked absent.

If the test is positive, attendance information will be adjusted, Foley said.

Students using livestreaming must be dressed and on the computer in an appropriate learning environment in the home.

Those who are not present during livestream instruction will be marked absent.

The 2021-22 school year resumes Thursday, Aug. 26 in the district.