November 13, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Expect an announcement today (Friday) from Director of Schools Patrick Cripps on whether DeKalb County Schools will remain on virtual learning next week.
In an announcement this past Monday, Director Cripps extended the virtual learning through today (Friday, November 13) due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases and quarantines among faculty and staff.
All five schools in the district have been on virtual learning since Wednesday, October 28.
“We need to address what we plan on doing next week . We are continuing to evaluate the situation. We plan to get a phone call out to parents today (Friday) telling them what our plans are,” said Director Cripps during Thursday night’s monthly Board of Education meeting held via video conference.
“This is an ever changing situation due to the faculty and staff that have been affected. Its not students the reason we canceled school (in person) its due to the lack of faculty and staff and how that has affected the different schools. I know it is frustrating for everyone and I want our kids in school. That is our goal is to get everyone back in school but we are facing challenging times and we have some things we are trying to work through to meet the needs. There will be some limitations when we do go back. There may be bus routes that can’t be run and there may be schools that open while others remain closed. The state made clear to us in the beginning that we don’t necessarily have to shut down the whole district but there are times when we will. Each situation is different but we will get our parents the information as quickly as we can,” said Director Cripps.
In other business, the Board of Education Thursday night set Friday, May 14 at 7 p.m. as the graduation date and time for the DCHS Class of 2021 to be held on the football field. The DCHS prom date was also set for April 9 to be held at the Capital Theatre in Lebanon.
In his monthly report on personnel, Director Cripps announced that Dean Broadhead has been hired as a educational assistant at Smithville Elementary School and that Amber Prater has resigned as educational assistant at Smithville Elementary School.