NA, most county schools have kept low COVID numbers

New Albany Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lance Evans reported to school trustees the district had no new cases of COVID-19 and no quarantine cases this past week.

“We had a good week,” he said.

Although specifics had not been reported earlier in the year, schools have seen some cases and quarantines. This week, for example, the East Union Attendance Center is reverting to distance learning for the entire week due to four students and five staff members testing positive for the virus.

According to the state health department, East Union, Ingomar, New Albany Elementary and West Union have had five or fewer staff members or students test positive since the beginning of school.

Myrtle, New Albany Middle School and New Albany High School have had five or fewer staff members test positive since the beginning of school while New Albany High has had 12 and Myrtle and New Albany Middle School have had six each.

In a brief October board meeting, New Albany trustees only handled four personnel issues.

They approved Mary Beth Muncie as Electives Department Chair and approved Timotheus Strong as part-time custodian at the Middle School.

They approved Chris Russell to live stream home football games and approved the resignation of Kenesha Sweezer, teacher assistant at New Albany Elementary School, effective Oct. 28.

Director of Accounting Services Suzanne Coffey reported that the district continues to be in good financial shape, helped some by reduced expenses in the spring when schools were closed.

She said the district has decided to opt out of the payroll tax deferral plan proposed by Washington.

If payroll taxes were not withheld the rest of the year they still would be due next year and it was decided having them fall at tax time would be a burden on employees.

The district is using funds provided by House Bill 1788 to upgrade technology, such as strengthening throughout the campuses.

In another technology matter, the board gave approval to advertise for sale 2,155 iPad devices and 178 Macbook Airs. The schools have determined that getting the devices on a lease-purchase arrangement and then selling them after three years gives them the most value for the expense.

The board also approved the donation of a $200 gift card from Harbor Freight to be used for the Career and Technology Auto Services Class.

The next scheduled meeting of the New Albany School Board will be Monday, Nov. 2, at 5:30 with the location to be announced.