Students go back to campus in fall; funding for COVID issues approved

All students in Demopolis City Schools will return to campus learning according to the 2021-2022 “Return to School Plan” approved by the Board of Education Friday.

Mask requirements will end May 28, and no masks will be required for those attended summer instruction.

The plan also has a large hygiene component. Major upgrades in the HVAC systems, deep cleaning that will continue, nurses on site and monitoring of student health have been implemented.

The board had been working on an Advancement in Education Technology plan that had not yet been approved by the state. Just before the meeting, interim superintendent Dr. Walter Davie received a memo stating the school system might not be getting the full amount of Education Trust Fund (ETF) money that it had been promised, or some $400,000 less.

Davie suggested to the board members that they not change the plan for a complete upgrade of technology infrastructure and professional services at a cost of a little over $1 million. He will get the final determination of the money available and present it to the board at the May 24 called meeting.

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” he said. He went back into past records and found that ETF funds two years ago were greater than the latest figures from the state, when he had been told there would be a significant increase.

“I do feel very confident we can see this through.”

The school system has been allocated $2.5 million in the second round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds, or ESSER2, with the money to be spent on COVID relief gaps. As planned by DCS, the money would be used for instructional materials, professional development and unfinished learning supports.

Davie stressed that almost 60 percent of the ESSER2 funding directly impacts students and families, which would include underwriting fees, scholarships, tutoring, extended year instruction, health services and social-emotional support.

The board approved revisions to the system’s Wellness Policy after a second reading. The additions primarily pertain to food and nutrition but also include communication with parents and safe routes to schools.

First readings were held for job descriptions for a Reading Intervention Teacher, Reading Instructional Partner/Coach and Reading Curriculum Coordinator. All three are approved in the ESSER2 plan.

Any employee who had to take time off because of COVID-related issues for themselves or their family will not have the time counted against personal leave through July 31. Davie said the board can revisit the policy if an extension is needed.

The board accepted the bid of $11,200 from R.D. Mechanical for mini-split heat pumps. The equipment already was in the system budget.

Davie announced graduation will be held at 7 p.m. May 28 in Tiger Stadium. In the event of bad weather, the graduating class will be divided into three groups, and ceremonies will be held in the auditorium.

Summer learning will be Monday through Thursday, June 7 through July 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special emphasis will be on literacy and math. The summer programs are looking for donations to purchase snacks and other treats to award students for perfect attendance.

In personnel matters, the board approved the following:

• Retirement of Deneice Henson, DMS lunchroom manager, and the resignation of Sydney Leonard, DMS special education teacher.
• Conditional employment of Kayla Thacker, DHS math teacher, and Joshua Thacker, DHS career prep teacher.
• Substitutes Donna Randall with professional certificate and Lisa Orem with sub license.
• Modify FMLA return date for Lindsey Robinson, WES, from Aug. 6 to May 4, and Leroy Harris, DMS custodian, from April 28 to May 13.