KERNVILLE, Calif. (KERO) — The Kernville Union School District, which had planned to return to in-person learning on January 19th for elementary students, is pushing that back.

In a note to KUSD families, Superintendent Dr. Steve Martinez said that the district would continue distance learning until further notice.

"However, the high number of COVID-19 cases in Kern County and in our valley is straining staffing at our schools due to community exposure. We want to return to in-person instruction as soon as possible but only when it is safe and we can provide consistent in-person instruction to our students. Therefore, we will continue distance learning until further notice. The District will continue to monitor COVID-19 in our county and valley."

Martinez went on to say that the concern was not the district's safety measures but from factors outside their control.

"Students and staff safety is always a top concern. Our safety and preventive measures we use with students and staff are extremely effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 at all our schools. The concern is from community exposure outside of our schools."

KUSD will provide additional details, including support and tutoring, later this week.