​​​COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Schools officials said Wednesday that the district will continue with in-person learning after 2,800 teachers signed a letter calling for two weeks of remote learning due to COVID-19.

What You Need To Know

• Columbus City Schools will not transition to remote learning


• The Columbus Education Association called for a two-week pause


• Superintendent Talisa Dixon said the district's schools are safe

District leadership said that Columbus Public Health recommends students be in person as much as possible, even amid the surge of cases.

“We know that in-person learning is the best and the safest place for our students, and we will continue to make sure that we're learning in-person as much as possible,” Superintendent Talisa Dixon said.

The Columbus Education Association asked Dixon to immediately transition to remote learning for a two-week period to get through “the worst of the current COVID-19 omicron” surge, the letter said.

“We strongly believe that the best way to ensure maximum in-person learning in the coming months is to combat the current surge with decisive action today,” it read.

Columbus City Schools has temporarily closed individual school buildings on a case-by-case basis since students returned from winter break. Officials have cited staff shortages due to COVID-19 and other issues.

Dixon said she recognizes the temporary switches to remote learning are difficult for families, and she said officials are working to get notifications out as quickly as possible when buildings are closed.

The district confirmed that it has received the union’s letter, which also called for schools to provide more masks and deep clean buildings. Officials said they are not considering a transition to remote learning.