BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – The Brookings School District is starting to get some idea of the number of students they’ve lost contact with during the pandemic.

These are students they’ve had either no contact with or just minimal contact since the district switched to online instruction in April.

Brookings School Superintendent Klint Willert asked the principals to survey teachers to come up with preliminary numbers.

That could mean more than 300 students. This is an issue for schools across the country and Willert says they’re very concerned about the long term impact of this lack of connection. A related issue is students who have stayed in contact but who have found that online learning just does not work for them.

Willert says they will consider a number of different options.

He says they have an obligation to help all of their students and the district will make every effort to help these students.