The Dunkirk Board of Education voted on Tuesday to continue remote learning sessions for at least the next two weeks, lasting through Feb. 1. Following those two weeks, the board left open the possibility of extending remote learning past the next two weeks, depending on the state of COVID-19 in the county and district.

Even if two weeks passes and students are allowed to return to in person learning, it would not be at full capacity. This decision comes amidst other decisions from schools on whether to return to in person learning based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though there is no zone designation or mandatory testing dictated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Dunkirk school board is choosing to proceed with caution as to not risk student or faculty and staff infection, as the cases in Chautauqua County and the Dunkirk area continue to rise dramatically. The board expressed their desire for students and staff to be as safe as possible, despite wanting them to return to in person learning.