Eve Bolton called Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education's decision last week to close the school buildings and return to fully remote learning "devastating" for students and their families.

The retired teacher was the only board member who voted against returning to full remote learning amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in Ohio's third-largest school district. School buildings are shutdown to students until at least Jan. 24, a date board members targeted for returning to in-person learning. 

Bolton, the board's longest-turned member, didn't hold back in expressing her frustrations with the decision during an interview with The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast.

"We don't have a lot of credibility about trying to promise that we'll return on the 24th," Bolton said.

Most other regional school districts remain open for in-person learning. CPS came under scrutiny from parents and community leaders early last year for continuing to be fully remote while most other local school districts had returned to in-person learning. 

Bolton said she decided last year that she wouldn't support going back to remote learning under most circumstances. She particularly worries how the board's decision will impact children and families living in poverty.

"Our children are safer at school than any other place," Bolton said. "No matter how good remote (learning) is, there's learning loss for a majority of the kids."

A staffing shortage was cited as a reason for the decision. Bolton acknowledged that the teachers' union had an influence on board members.

"They are a political force in the community," Bolton said.

Bolton spent 36 years as a teacher and theater director in the suburban Wyoming City Schools, including serving part of her career as the local union president. She's been on the CPS board since 2007.

She said the district wasn't "aggressive enough" in hiring substitute teachers in preparation for the latest uptick in cases. 

Said Bolton: "We have to figure out how to still teach our kids and get them to school and get them fed and have the medical services that are available and have them be with their friends and have them have great adult mentors like our teachers and our coaches."