Surry County Public Schools leaders are delaying a return to in-person learning.

At its January meeting, the school board decided to continue virtual-only instruction beyond Feb. 1, due to COVID-19-related concerns for the health and safety of students and staff, officials said in a Jan. 25 announcement shared on social media.

The five-member school board granted Superintendent Dr. Sebrenia Sims the authority and “flexibility to bring smaller cohorts of students back for in-person instruction based upon need and the determination that mitigating strategies are in place to help ensure safety,” the division said.

“When the decision is made to return the division to in-person instruction, all stakeholders will be given two weeks notice prior to students physically returning to the buildings. We realize that timely communication is essential for everyone to have time to plan for this change. Surry County Public Schools thanks you for your patience and understanding as we continue the work of educating our youth while trying to ensure the health and safety of all.”

The decision to continue virtual learning affects about 750 students and about 200 full-time staff who work at or support the county’s three schools — Surry Elementary, Luther Porter Jackson Middle and Surry High.