DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY|dewayne@mcnews.online
Superintendent Deric Owens shared with the Caddo Hills School Board the success of the mask mandate in a meeting that included the purchase of school zone lights and a closed circuit camera system to help monitor close contact tracing.
After the approval of the minutes and financial statement the board hear reports from both principals.
Superintendent Owens then reported on COVID-19’s impact on school attendance. He reminded the board members of the temporary mask mandate implemented In August. He pointed out that school attendance was greatly impacted by the virus with as many as 24 students and eight teachers testing positive with 176 students out, most due to quarantine, on August 27.
Owens reported that at the end of the mask mandate attendance numbers were much better. September 13 there were five students who had tested positive for COVID and 25 students out due to quarantine. He added that the masks work, but with this wave of cases over he had made the decision to not continue the mask mandate.
Owens stated that most of the community didn’t want a mask mandate
“To commit to masks is not what the community wants.” He shared.
He added that he believes the virus is manageable at this time, but will consider another temporary mask mandate if there is another spike in cases.
“You can’t deny that the masks work.” He said.
Owens reminded everyone that positive cases in Montgomery County were on the decline and that students were at a greater risk of contracting the virus outside of school.
The board accepted a bid of $5,898 for a school zone light system The lights will only flash twice per day, in the morning and afternoon during drop off and leaving hours. The lights will not flash during weekends.
The board accepted a bid of $133,510 for a camera system that will be used to monitor close contact tracing. The system will be networked into the existing school infrastructure and will provide a camera in each classroom. Since the system is used to monitor close contact tracing the school is able to pay for it with ESSER funds. The accepted bid includes installation. KLC, the company who submitted the winning bid, also installed the doors at the school. Superintendent Owens pointed out that while it is a tool to combat COVID-19, it will also be a good security tool as well.
The boar took action on several other issues.
The board approved a legal balance transfer of $185,487.39.
The board approved the non-bonded debt payoff of copiers at a cost of $10,523.37.
The board accepted the transfer of three students into the district.
The board approved transfer requests for seven students. Four students requested transfers to Centerpoint, two to Mount Ida and one to Kirby.
The board approved a contract addendum for Julie Bryant for teaching in excess of 150 students.
The board approved resolution and disclosure for Tammy Whisenhunt and Kinzie Bour, as well as a list of staff members.
The board hired Mary Ivy as the concession stand supervisor and James Walden as full time bus driver.
The board created an afternoon transportation dispatch stipend of $20 per day.
The board adopted the minority teacher and administrator recruitment plan for the 2021-22 school year.
The board discussed the possibility of renting out the home on the adjoining property.
Superintendent Owens discussed upcoming ASBA meetings and training classes.
Caddo Hills Mask mandate produces results
