The Cumberland County Board of Education met electronically on Zoom this evening. Highlights from the meeting include:

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS EVALUATION SURVEY

This survey passed by the board of education tonight asks participants in the school system to answer the following questions regard the director of schools with strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree or non-applicable. The survey will be confidential for all employees:

1. There is an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect within this school system.
2. I am generally satisfied with being an employee in this school system.
3. I would recommend this school system to parents seeking a place for their child.
4. I feel supported by our Director of Schools
5. Our Director of Schools encourages suggestions for improvement.
6. I feel comfortable raising issues and concerns with the Director of Schools.
7. The Director of Schools develops good staff morale and loyalty to this school system.

DR. DAVID CAMPBELL, MR. ROY STONE AND DR. ROBERT WOOD CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS CHARITABLE FUND ANNOUNCEMENT

Through the generous actions of the Cumberland County Charitable Fund, the following will receive funds to supplement their financial needs:

Brown Elementary P.E. Department – $500

Crab Orchard Elementary – Ashley Reagan’s class – $124

Crab Orchard Elementary – Nursing/school health – $500

Homestead Elementary – Band/choir/music classes – $500

Martin Elementary – RTI class – $500

Martin Elementary – 2^nd grade Rosie Davis class – $100

North Cumberland Elementary – P.E. department – $500

North Cumberland Elementary – 7^th grade ELA – $140

Pleasant Hill Elementary – Band – $500

Pleasant Hill Elementary – Mrs. Dixon’s class – $100

Pleasant Hill Elementary – Mrs. Amanda’s class – $100

Pleasant Hill Elementary – Mrs. Pam’s class – $100

South Cumberland Elementary – library – $500

Stone Elementary – Mrs. Davis 1^st grade class – $200

Stone Elementary – RTI class – $500

SMHS – basketball cheerleaders – $600

SMHS – food pantry – $815

SMHS – RTI – $1,100

CCHS – softball team – $300

CCHS – track and field team – $300

CCHS – boys soccer team – $300

CCHS – nursing/health science class – $300

CCHS – theatre 2 class – $300

CCHS – French class – $300

CCHS – Freshman Academy – $300

CCHS – Dual Enrollment Funds – $500

CCHS – Piano class – $250

Phoenix School – Attendance perks – $200

Phoenix School  – Media Center – $200

Phoenix School – The Transition Center – $200

CTE MIDDLE SCHOOL STEM START-UP GRANT

The school board learned the college, career and technical education department received two grants. The Middle School STEM Start-up Grant of $18,196 was awarded to Brown, Homestead, Martin and Stone Elementary to purchase VEX robotics equipment. The Middle School Career Exploration Grant of $19,497.60 was awarded to South and North Elementary for the purchase of two additional Chrome book carts to be used with the Naviance career assessment program.

STUDENT SURVEY VIRTUAL LEARNING

The school board approved sending a survey to all students, particularly in grades 3-12 who are participating in virtual learning. It will be basic questions regarding the students experiences with the virtual process and if any issues with the Chrome books.

COVID-19 TEACHER LEAVE POLICY

The school board entertained policy 5.3052 regarding COVID-19 employee leave.

It states for the initial 10 days, employees complete the COVID-19 leave request form located on the Human Resources Portal and attach documentation supporting the leave.

For an extended leave beyond the 10 days, an Extended COVID-19 Leave Request form with supporting medical documentation needs to be completed and submitted for consideration by the board. It will be reviewed and if approved, the sick days and/or leave without pay will be restored.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FIGURES

The school board reviewed the latest enrollment figures.

A total of 6,876 students are part of the county wide system

HIGH SCHOOLS

CCHS – 989 total with 257 in 9^th grade, 257 in 10^th, 249 in 11^th and 226 in 12^th

SMHS – 964 total with 268 in 9^th grade, 270 in 10^th, 222 in 11^th and 204 in 12^th

Phoenix School – 104 total students

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (TOTAL NUMBER)

Martin – 733

Stone – 651

Homestead – 650

North Cumberland – 587

Pleasant Hill – 574

Brown – 535

South – 505

Crab Orchard – 439

Pine View – 145

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS VIRTUAL NUMBERS REVIEWED

The school board also reviewed the number of 6,876 students who are virtual in attendance:

CCHS – 68

SMHS – 74

Phoenix – 6

Brown – 28

Crab Orchard – 14

Homestead – 39

Martin – 35

North – 23

Pine View – 1

Pleasant Hill – 19

South – 20

Stone – 45

CCHS AND SMHS SOCCER TEAM OVERNIGHT TRIP REQUEST

The school board granted a request for both the CCHS and SMHS soccer team to participate in an overnight trip for a tournament. Concerns were raised before the vote about the trip being made during the pandemic by board members Robbie Safdie and Stace Karge. The yes votes giving permission included board members Hale, King, Brock, Hamby, Boston and Inman. The no votes included Safdie, Karge and Parris.