The county schools have been limited to just five coronavirus cases among students and just one teacher has tested positive.
Superintendent Wendy Bracey made the case numbers known during Monday’s school board meeting, reporting West Marion High School has had three student cases, West Marion Primary and East Marion Elementary one case each. East Marion High School is the only school to have a teacher test positive, but it hasn’t had a student test positive. West Marion Elementary has had zero cases between students and teachers.
“I would not say ‘knock on wood;’ I would say ‘thank you Jesus,” Bracey said. “We have some wonderful safety nets and cleanliness in place.”
Arthur Thompson addressed the board in the public comment portion prior to Bracey’s report and asked the board if the district has enough janitors, if the public can get a print out of janitors’ salaries and how janitors’ pay is determined. Board President Richard Culliver said the superintendent’s office would get those answers to him. During her coronavirus update, Bracey said the district absolutely has enough janitors and that they have done a great job.
The district had 252 students return to the classroom Monday from virtual learning, according to Bracey.
The district is in need of new vehicles for its student resource officers, and Bracey said she has been in contact with local law enforcement about purchasing vehicles they intend to replace. She said the sheriff’s office recently bought two new cars, and Sheriff Berkley Hall is going to evaluate the cars being replaced and get back to her on a potential price. She has also been in contact with salesmen at Mack Grubbs about purchasing vehicles at the state price.
“Thank you for investigating that because we need to replace the cars,” board member Larry Jenkins said.
The board offered their opinions on a state survey covering myriad topics and had a chance at the end to address each of their top concerns going forward. Jenkins said his top concern is the overall health and safety of students and staff, especially during the pandemic, and his second is making internet available in rural areas. Eric Hutto’s chief priority is updating facilities to include more touchless sanitation amenities such as automatic soap dispensers and faucets. Culliver said he would like teachers and staff’s compensation increases alongside inflation either through pay raises or incentives. Wendy Hammond said she wants 2021 to be a “safe and productive year for our virtual learners and in-school learners.”
Personnel changes include the resignations of Brooke Vandergriff, East Marion Elementary pre-K assistant, and Donald Fortenberry, custodian. The only new hire is TyRhonda Murphy, East Marion High math teacher.
The board next meets Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
