Davidson County Schools to remain masked
Davidson County School Board’s January meeting
On Monday, January 10, the Davidson County Schools (DCS) Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting for the month virtually.
Per the agenda, the topics of discussion addressed Davidson County Health Department’s COVID-19 updates and the 2022-2023 school calendar proposal, as well as concerns regarding human resources, finances, curriculum, instructional and operational needs. Additionally, the superintendent's updates regarding COVID-19 developments, an all-employee COVID bonus and dates to remember.
Chairman Alan Beck opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Davidson County Health Director Lillian Koontz apprised the board regarding COVID-19 updates. Koontz advised that COVID is “running rampant in Davidson County” with a positivity rate currently at 27 percent. She explained that the week of Halloween there were approximately 200 positive cases in Davidson County. Currently, there are 1,785 positive cases. Koontz addressed the CDC guidance of quarantine time now being only five days at the onset of symptoms, whereas previously it was 10.
Keri Johnston, executive assistant to the Superintendent Emily Lipe, issued a statement prior to the meeting regarding public comment for this virtually-held BOE meeting. “Anyone who would like to submit comments for the public expression portion of the meeting is encouraged to submit those in writing no later than noon on the day of the meeting. Submissions will be read aloud during the meeting. *Please note: Complaints about the performance of named school personnel, implementation of board policy, specific educational programs or school facilities should be submitted initially for a response to the school official responsible for the program or facility or to the superintendent. No response will be given by members of the board to comments read aloud during public expression. Following time allotted for public expression, the board will resume its published agenda and there will be no further discussion regarding items submitted for public expression.”
A total of 12 citizens, including parents, grandparents, educators and others, sent in statements to be read aloud to address the board with their concerns for their allotted three minutes. Concerns were expressed as to the mask policy, students being punished for wearing masks improperly, constitutional rights, COVID-19 facts and opinions, critical race theory, lack of food being provided in schools, individual educational plans and the dissatisfaction of virtually-held BOE meetings.
Polly Leonard, along with several others, shared her disapproval of the virtual meetings, declaring, “We are being silenced” and she urged named BOE members to “resign immediately.”
Concerned parents Cletus Hash and Matt Alspaugh shared similar grievances of reports that students are being sent home or punished for wearing masks improperly. Alspaugh added that his child, a high school student in Davidson County, informed him that one teacher spent half of a class at the beginning of this semester lecturing and threatening students that if their masks were seen below their nose, they would be sent to ISS (in school suspension).
Jodie Pate wanted to know why football teams can play without masks, but her third-grade student can’t even play outside without one. Or why athletic events are being allowed with attendees, but parents were unable to attend Christmas programs at school this year.
Other public speakers to submit concerns included Linda Strickland, Paul Piatkowski, Mary Halloway, Crystal Blankenship, Crystal Hash, Maggie Enfield, Donald Palmer and Jessica Hoffstetter.
Superintendent Lipe provided her updates and discussed COVID-19 data reiterating that numbers have increased. Prior to winter break, 60 students were identified as positive, with 128 being required to quarantine due to exposure in schools. There has been a 2.5x increase. As of last week, 154 students were identified as positive with 132 required to quarantine. Lipe stressed, the goal is to keep students in school face to face. With the increase in cases, board members unanimously voted to keep masks mandated at this time. This decision will be revisited at next month's meeting.
With January being Teacher Appreciation Month, Lipe and all BOE members offered their collective appreciation for Davidson County teachers, as well as all DCS employees. With the acknowledgement of everyone’s hard work throughout the pandemic, an all-employee bonus of $1000 was proposed and unanimously agreed upon for all staff members who have participated in COVID training. This bonus is to be issued to all employees within the January pay period.
The next DCS board meeting is scheduled for February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Davis-Townsend Elementary School.
