Choctaw County School District Superintendent, Glen Beard, reported that he met with the District Board of Trustees this past Saturday evening at which time the decision was made to extend Spring Break for at least one week, and the plan is to move forward on a week-to-week basis.
The Board will meet later this week to reevaluate the situation.
Beard stated that the District has to take the outbreak seriously because at this point they are not sure what they are dealing with. He said, “We don’t have very many cases, especially in our area, but it would not take much for it to explode.”
He added that overreacting is better than under-reacting.
The Board also voted to give staff members an additional five personal days to be used this week to alleviate concerns about being paid.
This week teachers are posting supplemental material on social media to help students stay ‘brushed-up’ on their studies. Beard stated that even though there have been some discussions about graduation it is much to early to make any decisions concerning that, and the district will plan to move forward on a week-to-week basis.
Stewart Edwards, French Camp Academy President, reported that their Spring Break is being extended for an additional two weeks, through March 27 and all athletic and extracurricular activities have been suspended.
Edwards added that French Camp Academy is unique in that it is a boarding school and bringing students back together from many locations across the country to live in such close proximity is an unnecessary risk. And even though this is an inconvenience they believe it to be a prudent decision.
As far as staff protection goes, Edwards stated that they are emphasizing basic hygiene principles such as hand-washing, and some staff members are being allowed to work from home.
The campus is closed to visitors to limit exposure and the Council House Restaurant is paring back its menu and operating hours.
Stewart said that staff members are encouraged to limit their social media exposure, and take some time to enjoy being with their families.
