GOWANDA — Concerns over community spread of COVID-19 has led the Gowanda Central School district to again delay a return of its hybrid model — this time until the middle of January.

In a letter to the district community, Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson notes positivity rates of 6% or more in both Erie and Cattaraugus counties. In addition, as of Monday, there were five staff members and two students either positive, isolated or quarantined due to COVID-19. “These numbers are low and manageable, but that is with limited or no school contact,” Anderson said.

He also citied continued significant community spread of COVID-19 that will prevent adequate school staffing levels for any model of in-person instruction. “Tentatively, the district is targeted to reopen for hybrid instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Moving this date from the original target date of January 4, 2021 will allow the holiday aftermath to settle, keeping the daily instructional routine consistent even if the situation worsens.”

Gowanda schools serves students in both Cattaraugus and Erie counties. It has been in a remote model since November, when Erie County was designated as a micro-cluster by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.