The regular meeting of the Calhoun County Board of Education brought several members of the community out to address the Board on the matter of the county mask mandate policy. However, with a change of agenda to address this matter first, there was no need for those who had prepared a statement on behalf of abolishing the mask mandate to speak.
Kelli Whytsell, Superintendent announced that after much consideration and a CDC protocol update Calhoun County Schools would no longer mandate the wearing of masks, and would no longer do contact tracing. This decision came after a reduction in the numbers of students and faculty testing positive for Covid. Their recent numbers reported to the State for testing positive (required each Thursday) were 27 positive cases the week of January 16, 24 positive casesthe week of January 29, 21 positive cases the week of February 3 and 20 positive cases the week of February 10, 2022.
If the numbers of positive cases should spike again, it is at the Superintendents discretion to reinstate the mask mandate. Board member James Greogry stated that “It was not our fault we had the pandemic, but because of our concern for the well being of the students and faculty, we put his policy in place.” Other board memebers reiterated the same with the exception of Jenna Jett who disagreed that the mask mandate be lifted. The vote was 4 for and 1 against. Effective today, February 15, masks are no longer required.
Josie Montgomery, a Senior at Calhoun High school was honored for a her “3rd Place Overall Scoring in Girls and Boys Basketball.” Tammy Yoak commended Josie not only for showing up on the court but on her accademic skills as well, carrying a 4.2 Grade point average. Superintendent Whytsell praised Josie and said she was proud of the entire team for their accomplishments this year.
Carissa Yoak, was honored with a ceritificate for being the “GSC Fall 2021 Outstanding Student Teacher.” Carisaa said that it was the most stressful time of her life trying to juggle teaching and college studies at the same time but she is “super happy to be teaching in Calhoun County which had always been a desire.” She is currently teaching Math and Science at Pleaseant Hill Elementary.
Hortz Motz reported on the activities of the Calhoun Gilmer Career Center. The simulated work place in programs such as the Welding Class with Instructor Carl Collins allow students to participate with the same responsibilities they would have in the field. The Culinary Class, even when the instructor Mr. McCormick was unavailable, proved themselves proficient and successful in preparing and serving meals. Embedded within the courses are Math and English skills so students are prepared all around to graduate and enter the work force. Lexi Gregory was also noted as a student of excellence using her talents and that of her group to create literature and presentation for the Career Center.
The Calhoun Gilmer Career Center will host a Career Day on February 23 with 26 Exhibitors scheduled to attend. High School Seniors and Juniors are encouarged to attend but the event is open to fresman and sophomores as well.
Superintendent Kelli Whytsell and Michael Fitzwater spent Monday in Charleston to encouarge the passing of Senate Bill 21 Relating to school aid formula and minimum student enrollment. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the net enrollment be set below 1,200 students. The cost in funding would be dramatic for Calhoun once the COVID money is no longer available in the schools. Additional bills of interest to the School Board was House Bill 4510 which establishes a goal of ensuring thrid greade students are competent in reading and math before moving to the fourth grade. Delegates debated at length — and then shelved — a bill that could define the help children need to attain language and math skills before fourth grade, holding them back in some circumstances if they aren’t able. Mrs. Whytsell was concerned the bill would do more harm than good.
An issue with student use of E-Cigarettes, also known as vaping, brought the School Board to consider becoming a part of a litigation suit agains the Juul, a manufacturer. The federal lawsuit alleges Juul used misleading advertising tactics to market its products to children. Mercer, Greenbrier, Raleigh, Mineral, and Gilmer counties have joined the suit. The easily hidden e-cigarette is hard for school administrators to detect in schools. Mrs. Whytsell said she was very naive on the issue until one morning at 7:45 the alarms at the school were going off. They had 9 alerts that day of students using the smoking divice.
Mrs. Whytsell gave copies of the newly adopted school calendar for the 22/23 school year to Board members and press.
Board Member Kevin Cunninghm announced that the Monday Night meeting would be his final meeting, stating that he wanted to become more active within the school system in ways that being a board member did not permit.
Multiple staff, financial matters and an expulsion hearing was conducted. He next school board meeting will be held March 14, 2022.
