Kallhoff gives update on state of Demopolis schools

At the start of the Demopolis school year, some 60 percent of the students went back to campus for instruction. Their rest of their classmates logged on to learn virtually.

Demopolis City Schools Supt. Kyle Kallhoff told the Demopolis Rotary Club Wednesday that those figures will be changing as of Oct. 19. It is then that 58 percent of the virtual students will be returning to campus, and 372 students will continue to take their lessons at home.

Kallhoff gave Rotarians an update on how the school system is functioning in spite of the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the school system finances and plans for capital improvements.

Using photos to show how students are learning, Kallhoff said even with three months of planning there were some problems that the school system faced when offering virtual instruction. Hands-on learning, especially in science classes, was restricted. Many students had connection issues, although the school system distributed hot spots to enable them to log on.

“Our plan on paper was good, but for some of our students, it didn’t work,” said Kallhoff.

To prepare for the unusual year, the system used funds from the CARES Act to hire an extra nurse, bringing the number to five. Quarantine rooms were set up in each school; $50,000 was used to purchase plexiglass dividers; sanitizing stations are set up; all schools receive a thorough cleaning every weekend by a professional service; more computers and software were purchased, and teachers had extra professional development to prepare for the unique learning environment.

The lunchroom staff prepares meals to be eaten in classrooms. In addition, another 3,000 meals each week are prepared for virtual students.

All the precautions have proved successful. Only four on-campus students have tested positive this year, resulting in the self-quarantine of 35 students who were in close contact. The three adults in the system who contracted the virus all tested positive before the start of the school year.

Kallhoff gave an upbeat report on the school system finances. The state requires a one-month reserve of funds, he said, but Demopolis has a five-month cushion.

Thanks to the bond issue passed by the state legislature in the spring, the Demopolis system is expected to receive an additional $3 million to add to its capital improvement budget. Kallhoff listed the priorities for the funds.

First will be the construction of a $1.7 million multi-purpose facility at Westside Elementary. The grass football field at Demopolis High will be replaced with synthetic turf at a cost of $750,000.

Property behind Jack’s that became available in August is being purchased for $400,000 with the extra money, and another $200,000 will be used to pave a second exit from the school grounds to U.S. Hwy. 80.

Other funds will be used to repair the DHS roof, and maintenance of heating and cooling systems and other general maintenance, Kallhoff continued.