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Students in seventh and eighth grades at Joseph P. King Jr. Middle School in Franklin began learning virtually Sept. 30 due to teacher shortages and vacancies during the past few weeks. 

A Franklin City Public Schools press release continued by stating that J.P. King Jr. Principal Dr. Regina Stafford told parents in a Sept. 28 letter, “Our No. 1 goal is to keep our students, faculty and support staff safe while teaching and learning at Joseph P. King Jr. Middle School. … The teacher shortage has impacted the teaching and learning process, specifically in the seventh- and eighth-grade classes.”

Stafford noted that to ensure each student receives a quality education taught by a certified instructor, those students’ schedules have been restructured to require virtual learning through Friday, Oct. 8.

The students are to return to in-person learning on Monday, Oct. 11.

The principal added that the change does not affect the sixth-graders. Further, the Plus One  sessions at the school, as well as after-school activities for seventh- and eighth-graders at Franklin High School, such as sports or band, will continue. Parents are to provide transportation to each school at 2:30 p.m., and the school division will continue to provide rides home.

“The administrative team realizes that this is short notice; however, we are committed to providing the students of J.P. King Jr. Middle School with a high-quality academic program administered in a safe and secure environment,” Stafford said. “Thank you for your understanding, flexibility and cooperation during this time.”