The Carmi-White County School Board met last night at the high school cafeteria.
Joy McCully was appointed Acting Secretary to record the minutes of the meeting.
There was a review of the Return-to-School Plan. Dr. Amy Dixon noted that they put the plan together with the Egyptian Health Department helping to implement it, and that it’s best for students to open the schools. The plan has been modified when needed, with the biggest change being that if a parent is concerned with their child’s safety, they would be able to transfer to remote-learning at anytime, instead of not being eligible to until September 4th. There could possibly be more changes to the plan in the next few days.
Jamie Byrd of the Egyptian Health Department addressed the board. He said the district has planned as well as possible for the school year and have a solid plan in place. He has a small team of contact tracers and the department will insure the safest environment possible. Byrd said the county is looking good as far as coronavirus cases are concerned. They’re planning on a contingency option of bringing in a mobile testing unit to test students and do spot checks during the school year if needed. Reports are that administration has let parents know that they would in fact be notified prior to any testing being done on children. For more information on coronavirus cases, you can go to dph.illinois.gov/countymetrics.
The Carmi-White County Remote Learning Guide was approved. It was developed by a team of teachers and building administrators and is used to provide information to staff members, students and parents regarding how learning will occur in our district during times when in-person learning is not possible. Regardless of the type of instruction, they want to provide quality educational opportunities for all students.
In revenues for July, the district received $290,598; $61,905 from the one percent sales tax.
In the superintendent’s report, Brad Lee said staff reported to their respective building for meetings and planning and preparation for the first day of student attendance on August 13th and 14th. Yesterday, today and tomorrow will be used as remote planning days for face-to-face and remote instruction. Students will begin instruction on Thursday, August 20th.
Back to School Nights will continue again this year to better inform the parents/guardians of the programs that are available to students and grade level expectations. They will be held virtually in all buildings, except Lincoln with it resembling a parent/teacher conference setting. Jefferson will have drive-thru Back to School Nights.
In other business, the board accepted the retirement of Lori Taylor as District Bus Driver effective immediately; the resignations of Kathleen Buchanan as Special Education Individual Aide at Washington Attendance Center immediately, Chris Lucas as High School Assistant Volleyball Coach effective this past July 22nd, Shelly Aldrich as Special Education Classroom Aide at the High School effective this past July 30th and Riley Cantrell as a Special Education Individual Aide and District School Bus Driver effective August 20th; and approved a leave of absence to Ariana Watts beginning on approximately October 29th. She plans to return to work on January 4th, 2021.
The board went into closed session at 7:54 PM to discus personnel.
During the closed session the Board approved the re-assignment of Dusty Brinkley from Special Ed Classroom Aide at Jefferson Attendance Center to School District Nurse for the coming school year.
The board also approved the employment of Jeremiah Downen as Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School Custodian.
Crystal Stallings was employed as part-time Junior High School Math Interventionist.
Robin Winters was re-assigned from Special Ed Individual Aide at Brownsville Attendance Center to CWCHS part-time Individual Aide/part-time Classroom Aide.
The Board also approved John Choate as a Volunteer Junior High School Assistant Baseball Coach for the 2020-2021 school year.
