BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — On Wednesday, the Panama-Buena Vista School District announced it would resume reopening for in-person instruction.

According to a statement released by the district, the recent decline in the COVID-19 case rate in Kern County led to the decision to resume reopening phases tentatively starting on March 4th for transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and targeted junior high groups. Additional grades would tentatively begin on March 11th and 18th. A date for grades 7 and 8 have not been set.

The statement went on to say: "It is important to remember the dates for return are tentative based on meeting the guidelines released by the state on January 14, 2021. However, our goal in releasing tentative dates is to allow staff and families to prepare to return to the site and school respectively."

“Our job, we want to take care of our people,” said Jennifer Irvin, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services at Panama Buena Vista.

Virtual meetings regarding the reopening have been scheduled for February 17th and 18th.