The Cumberland County Board of Education last night approved giving all system employees a one-time bonus to show appreciation of their work during the pandemic. The funds will come mainly from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act.

Board member Rebecca Hamby asked members in old business section of the agenda to look at the mandatory facial covering policy in effect for students and staff. Hamby said it is time to consider the masks optional. Board Chairman Jim Inman said would be more appropriate to address it after the school system reviews the COVID-19 numbers following next week’s spring break. The active cases of coronavirus has been on the rise going from 63 a week ago back up to 91 as of yesterday (Thursday, March 18, 2021).