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Board of Ed Approves Mask Guidelines

Photos by Eugenia Jones The McCreary County School Board recognized the following during the Board’s October meeting: McCreary Central Forestry Team, Caleb Dixon, and District (PBIS award). A Whitley City Elementary student, Blaze Delaughter, led the pledge of allegiance during the meeting. The Forestry Team will be representing McCreary County in Indianapolis at the national in-person forestry competition. Caleb Dixon, a former Central student, was recognized for his outstanding collegiate performance. Dixon has received extensive national recognition for his skill in archery. Amelia Strunk discussed recognition received by the District for implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavior/Intervention/Support.)

By Eugenia Jones

The McCreary County Board of Education met earlier this week (October 25) to approve the revised Safe Return to Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.  The revised plan was approved as presented to the McCreary County Board of Education by Superintendent Corey Keith with the following changes:  Decisions on whether universal masking will be required will be made for the following week based on McCreary County 7-Day Incidence Rate data provided by the Lake Cumberland District Health Department.  If the rate is 50.0 or higher, universal masking will be required indoors when students are present.  If the rate is below 50.0, indoor masking will be optional.  Specifically, the rate reported on the Thursday of each week will be used.  The decision will be announced each Friday.  The number of cases occurring at USP McCreary will be subtracted from the total cases, and the incidence rate will be adjusted accordingly. 

Although the Board unanimously voted to adopt an incident rate of 50 or higher for the required wearing of masks, Superintendent Keith formally recommended the Board adopt an incident rate of 25 or greater (red zone/critical.) 

In other business, School Board Member Stacey Hammons asked that an additional item of business be added to the meeting agenda.  Her request for the Board to approve posting School Board meeting agendas on Facebook was placed on the meeting agenda, and later in the meeting, the Board voted unanimously to approve posting all school board agendas on Facebook prior to all meetings.

Additionally, Board members voted to approve the schematic design phase plans for the McCreary County Middle School Renovation Project, and for the plans to be forwarded to the Kentucky Department of Education.

The Board also discussed the District Facilities Plan.  Board member Stacey Hammons noted the need for a turf field or additional practice field for soccer.  The current athletic fields are used by all sports making it difficult to schedule practice time.  Additionally, soccer needs to have turf or a separate field to avoid damaging the field.

Discussion also revolved around the need for improvements at the high school auditorium and the need for the addition of an athletic complex which can meet the needs of all athletes.

The next meeting of the regular McCreary County Board of Education will be Monday, November 22, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at McCreary County Middle School.

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