While some other schools across the state are struggling with COVID absences and discussions over masks, Henryetta is reporting low numbers of absences.
Our numbers are good,” superintendent Dwayne Noble told school board members Monday night. “We are lower today than we have been in over a week.” He pointed out that no teachers are out due to the virus and no classes have had to be quarantined.
With those numbers in mind, the board agreed to keep the mask optional rule in place. “If things change, we will revisit that,” he said pointing out that some students are wearing masks while others are not.
Board members tabled a decision over changing part of the sick leave policy for employees affected by COVID.
Noble said the policy revision is necessary since some teachers have been quarantined but not charged for sick leave.
“We could face a legal battle if we charge the teachers because we don’t know where they were infected,” he said.
Noble is going to be visiting with attorneys from the state School Board Association then present the issue at the October board meeting.
The virus threat was addressed by Steve McKinney from Sustainable Solutions.
He presented a machine marketed by his company that is supposed to be capable of disinfecting classrooms and even eliminating black mold and MERSA germs.
“This is ten years ahead of what is on the market,” he said. One of those machines is said to be on the NASA space station.
In addition to the equipment designed for a room, McKinney showed two other machines that could be used to cover smaller areas.
No action was taken by the board on that equipment.
Board members approved a $3,000 salary increase for Jayme Matlock. She started this year as Middle School principal.
Matlock told the board that she and the students and teachers appreciated the support and sympathy shown this past week following the death of Tina Berry. “She was an amazing educator and had a tremendous impact on her students. She will be greatly missed by all.”
Following up on a plan to introduce archery as part of the school FFA curriculum, Brooke Smith said students will need to use an indoor facility for their practice. She asked for the use of the elementary gymnasium one night a week. “We will put carpet down so we won’t affect the floor and we have a net to protect the walls.”
Smith said the idea for an archery program has been met favorably by students.
The school has 12 bows for the program, ten of them designed for right-handed students and two for left handed. In addition the school will be getting five dozen arrows, a bow rack and targets. All will be purchased from federal monies.