The remnants of the first day of school are still visible across the Mohonasen campus -- signs of where students should go and positive messages written in chalk on sidewalks.

“It was wonderful to see kids in the hallways again, and to kind of feel like you’re a community,” said Christina Patterson, a special education teacher.

But that community feel will have to be put on hold for Patterson and her colleagues. An administrator recently tested positive for COVID-19, which resulted in the district abruptly going virtual after one day of in-person learning.

“It was clearly a mistake, but a costly mistake,” said Superintendent Shannon Shine.

He says several school officials were at a luncheon with the administrator who later tested positive. According to Shine, all but one individual was properly social distanced.

When it was reported to the health department, Shine says everyone at that luncheon was told to quarantine.

“We learn today the hard way that there could be situations where we’re following the rules, but their recommendations goes beyond that in terms of quarantining,” Shine said.

At least 14 are in quarantine, which includes every school principal, every assistant principal, and academic administrator, according to Shine. That’s why he says the whole district has to go virtual.

Patterson says they are prepared for this as teachers are working diligently to provide quality content.

“You kind of have to roll with the punches when something like that happens. Health and safety of our kids is first and foremost,” said Patterson, who is also the president of the Mohonasen Teachers Association.

For now, virtual learning is only temporary. There’s no clear date on when in person learning will resume. But Shine and Patterson say the plan is to resume that once it’s safe to do so.