Four Corners schools deal with COVID outbreaks, understaffing

AZTEC, N.M.— It was an unusual Wednesday morning for Park Avenue elementary school in Aztec after someone tested positive for COVID-19.

“It was perfect timing and I say that ironically because when we got the news, students were already on the way to school," said Kirk Carpenter, superintendent of the Aztec Municipal School District.

Students and staff were sent home for virtual learning. Contact tracing was conducted, and district officials said the school will be cleaned and sanitized before it reopens on April 19.

In Bloomfield, four schools closed, including Mesa Alta Junior High.

KOB 4 reached out to Bloomfield school district officials, but did not hear back.

On the district’s Facebook page, they shared a video of the Mesa Alta Junior High principal explaining why the school went into a shelter-in-place Tuesday, and what’s next for the school.

“We are not closing down Mesa Alta due to too many cases. That is not the case at all. Right now we are literally shutting down because there aren’t enough substitutes, and so we find that it’s best to stay consistent with our school and stay virtual for the next two weeks," the principal said.

Mesa Alta will stay virtual until April 26.

Central Primary Elementary School closed due to positive cases, and will also reopen on April 26. Bloomfield High School and Charlie Y. Brown High School will also close until the end of April.

The Central Consolidated School District will temporarily close three schools—one in Shiprock and two in Kirtland.