A Union County high school will start off the school year remotely after at least 17 teachers requested leave because of COVID-19 concerns.

Parents in Berkeley Heights and Mountainside whose students attend the Governor Livingston High School are just now being told that there aren't enough teachers to teach in September.

The high school has 90 teachers, but 17 requested leave. The plan was to use a hybrid-style system to start off the new school year. But the faculty shortage has changed those plans.

Superintendent Melissa Varley tells parents in a statement, “Due to the amount of teachers who will be unavailable/unable to teach in-person in September, we have no choice but to start Governor Livingston in an all-virtual capacity.”

This is not the only school district in New Jersey with this issue. From large districts like Elizabeth to smaller ones such as Ocean Township, teaches are opting to not teach in classrooms.

And with a lack of substitute teachers, districts and parents are being forced to make alternate plans.

Gov. Phil Murphy has said that any district that opts for all-remote learning must submit a timeline for returning to in-person education.