Cumby ISD school board discussed technology and athletics during COVID-19 among other items of business at the school’s regular meeting on Aug. 25.
After convening at 7:00 p.m., the board had no citizens present for public comments.
The board then unanimously passed their consent agenda, financial report and previous meeting minutes.
Elementary principal Doug Wicks updated the board that enrollment was at 205, up last year from 194. Attendance was at 97.5%, and Wicks noted that “considering what’s going on, I would say that’s going good.” Approximately 12% of the school is attending online-only, Wicks said.
Currently, school activities are limited due to COVID-19, but school picture day will still occur on Sept. 16, Wicks said.
“We had to change up a lot this year to ensure the social distancing, but by now it’s running smoothly,” Wicks said. “We’ve done good.”
Business manager Donna George updated there were 174 students enrolled at the high school, with approximately 12% of those attending online-only. George said the high school was still working on lunch, but that otherwise COVID-19 precautions were “going very well.”
The board then heard updates regarding various departments. New Cumby athletic director Charles Boles provided the athletic update.
Boles stated that both football and volleyball schedules have undergone updates due to COVID-19 concerns. Cumby ISD’s homecoming is set for Oct. 23, and senior night is set for Nov. 6. Due to COVID-19 concerns, preseason tickets will not be sold beforehand, and fans from visiting schools will not be allowed at events without a ticket. Tickets can be purchased in the high school office.
George presented the business manager’s report. As of July 31, Cumby ISD realized 98.6% of their revenue and expended 81.4% of their budget. Additionally, as of that date, the school had collected 97.26% of their tax levy. Superintendent Shelly Slaughter noted that the school may see reimbursement of some costs due to disbursement of CARES Act funding the county receives.
School resource officer Tony Crouse provided the school safety report. Although the school cancelled the November bond election, Crouse stated the school still planned on implementing one of the planned improvements, installing a safety fence around the elementary school. The purpose of the elementary fence will be to separate the playground from nearby Donelton Street.
Slaughter also updated the board that over 200 desk dividers have been installed on all elementary desks, and a backpack sprayer is being used frequently with disinfectant chemicals to kill the COVID-19 virus. The school now also has three free-standing temperature readers stationed at the school’s entryways, Slaughter said.
“We’re not shutting down school,” Slaughter said. “We’re not going to start and stop, we want them [the students] to be comfortable.”
For the technology update, Slaughter reported that all TVs, cameras and microphones had been purchased and the school was waiting for them to be delivered. The school is also removing and replacing their promethean boards, also known as “smart” boards, Slaughter said. The cost for the technologies will be $10,000, which will be covered by CARES Act funding.