Davidson County School Board addresses COVID updates
On Tuesday, September 7, the Davidson County Schools (DCS) Board of Education held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at Davis-Townsend Elementary School.
Per the agenda, some of the topics of discussion would address COVID-19 data updates and guidance on COVID-19 from the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit for K-12 Schools, air purifying systems, future heating and air conditioning projects, roof replacement projects, school nursing needs and personal protective equipment (PPE) for band and chorus students.
Opening the board meeting, Chairman Alan Beck read the new disclaimer found on the DCS website regarding the board's policy on public commenting and what would and would not be tolerated. This session also required everyone attending to wear a proper face covering for the first time this school year.
{Contributed photo of disclaimer read by Alan Beck prior to public comments}
After the disclaimer was read, everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. The six pre-approved speakers were called upon to address the board members and attendees to make their comments. In comparison to the previous two DCS board meetings, the atmosphere seemed much calmer, with only a fraction of public attendees present. No one was holding American flags or poster board signs in protest. Although the speakers certainly shared their passionate opinions and detailed research without holding back, no guests were escorted out for emotionally charged outbursts or disturbances as they had been in prior meetings.
Tonia Maxcy, a high school teacher, was the first to be called for public comment; she pleaded for unity within the community. “This division has been seen clearly and has been very vocal as a top news story, and that’s not a compliment to our community. I stand before you today not to speak for, or against, the wearing of masks. But, to plead for unity among us.”
Tonia Maxcy, addressing attendees, pleads for unity within the community {Brooke Maners/Davidson Local}
Other public speakers followed including Tiffany Brister, J.J. Ring, Matt Alspaugh, Carrie Bonner and Tripp Kester.
Superintendent Emily Lipe discussed the COVID-19 data found on the DCS Dashboard. She informed, “Certainly, while we are disappointed that our student and staff cases are on the rise, I do want to point out that our exposures have been reduced. Which also then reduces the number of students who must quarantine.”
Lipe advised Gov. Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 654 into law that requires all NC school districts to have mask policies. One stipulation of the law states that every Board of Education must revisit and vote whether or not their policy needs to be modified at each monthly meeting.
No change or amendment to the DCS mask mandate was made at this time.
The next DCS board meeting is scheduled for October 4 at 6:30 p.m.
