NEWS FROM THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING – MAY 28, 2021
The Cumberland County Board of Education met last night (Thursday, May 27, 2021). Highlights from the session include:
MASK MANDATE AND VIRTUAL LEARNING TO END
The Cumberland County Board of Education announced in their meeting last night virtual learning and the mask mandate for students and staff will expire at 10 a.m. today (Friday, May 28, 2021). That is the same time pupils will dismiss for this current school year heading into summer break.
Board Chairman Jim Inman said the re-opening plan initiated back in August of 2020 included the mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to run out when the last day of school is over (Friday, May 28, 2021 at 10 a.m.). We are not going to go back to such a plan unless there is a significant spike in COVID cases AND the governor issues another state of emergency,” said Inman.
The announcement came to the delight of several parents who attended the meeting to speak to the board wanting the mandate done away with.
As of yesterday, the Tennessee Department of Health reported 50 active cases (a rise of 2 from the day before) in Cumberland County of the coronavirus. Officials also noted 5 new deaths in the county in yesterday’s summary bringing the death toll up to 138.
On a related note, a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a couple of parents against the Cumberland County School System regarding the mask mandate is set to be heard by a judge in a Putnam County courtroom on June 7 at 1 p.m. central.
EDUCATORS RECOGNIZED
The school board recognized Dr. Stephanie Speich and Dr. Natalie Roberts for both receiving their doctorate degrees. They also gave their appreciation to Debbie Beaty for being a semi-regional finalist for Principal of the Year and Marlene Holton for being a semi-regional finalist for Supervisor of the Year in the state.
FACIAL COVERING SURVEY RESULTS REVIEWED
The school system recently conducted an online survey earlier this month in regards to facial coverings. It indicates 2,856 responded to a series of questions. The results reviewed by the school board last night included:
Will you have a student enrolled in the Cumberland County School System for the 2021-2022 year?
94.3% – YES
5.7% – NO
Please select which school your student will be attending for the next school year.
CCHS – 613
SMHS – 472
South Elementary – 332
Homestead – 282
North – 252
Pleasant Hill – 247
Stone Elementary – 243
Brown – 240
Martin – 228
Crab Orchard – 179
Pine View – 85
Phoenix School – 21
Please select the grades in which your student will be enrolled for the next school year:
Pre-K = 141
K – 292
1st – 344
2nd – 359
3rd – 401
4th – 327
5th – 402
6th – 319
7th – 296
8th – 337
9th – 336
10th – 329
11th – 361
12th – 289
In regard to face coverings expectations for the next school year, select one option:
OPTIONAL – 91.8%
MANDATORY – 8.2%
OTHER NOTES FROM MEETING
- As of last night, 644 students are set to take part in the summer learning program
- The school system has a balanced budget for the upcoming school year and it will be presented to the Cumberland County Commission for their consideration and possible approval June 3, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. in a meeting at the old courthouse in Crossville.