The Youngstown City School District sent students home to learn remotely for the waning school days in 2021 after it was reported that approximately 121 employees had called off from their jobs in a variety of district buildings and departments.

A few weeks earlier, on Dec. 10, administrators also closed city schools so teachers and staff could get COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters.

In November, the city school district’s CEO Justin Jennings opted also to extend the school district’s Thanksgiving break by two days, at that time citing student absences, COVID-19 quarantines and teacher shortages.

It later became clear that the biggest problem triggering that earlier closure was the teacher shortages. During that November closure, 101 staff absences were reported on Nov. 22. A total of 93 staff members were absent on Nov. 23. The district has 1,005 employees, including 474 teachers.

Jennings has pointed out to our reporter that the school district has seen its need for substitute teachers more than double from prepandemic needs. Additionally, he says he sees fewer substitutes with availability, along with multiple area school districts pulling from the same pool.

Undoubtedly this is a problem that must be affecting many area school districts — not just Youngstown City Schools. Despite that fact, however, we have not seen similar closures in other districts.

And here is something that we consider to be even more alarming. Despite the absenteeism, teacher attendance rates in Youngstown schools have actually increased over the last three school years, according to the district.

During the 2018-19 school year, teacher attendance was 92.01 percent. It increased to 93.61 percent in the 2019-2020 school year and, so far this year, the rate increased to 95.71 percent.

Student attendance during the same period was 90.3 percent in 2018-19 school year, 92.1 percent during the 2019-20 school year — but 80 percent for the 2020-21 school year.

High attendance rates for employees is critical. Many experts believe 1.5 percent absentee rates in the workplace are to be expected in private industry. It’s a serious problem that Youngstown City School employee absenteeism far exceeds that rate.

Further, it’s even more critical that students are in school. What are high absenteeism rates being demonstrated by teachers showing our kids?

As we’ve said before in this space, we believe strongly that closing schools or sending students back to remote learning is not the correct answer.

Our children need to be in school.

Further, we have a hard time forgetting that it was Youngstown City Schools that remained under remote learning last school year, months after every other area public school district were returning to the classrooms.

This trend in Youngstown seems to be an indication that leaders at the city school district are not working as hard as they should be at finding ways to keep students in the classroom.

Indeed, teacher absence is a big problem that needs to be rectified.

In the meantime, however, why not consider ways to keep kids in school. Perhaps they could consider combining classes, or teaching some classes remotely from inside the classrooms. While it may not be ideal, perhaps the district could add an extra study hall to student schedules, if needed in a pinch. At least these options would keep students in the school buildings.

No, we don’t expect that our suggestions are the ultimate solutions. We realize we are not professional educators. That’s why we rely on these professional educators and administrators to find the answers.

Whatever it is, they must find a way to give these students the in-person learning environment that challenges both teachers and students to come to school and do their best every day.

These students deserve no less.

editorial@vindy.com