The Long County Board of Education held a regular meeting on Nov. 8. Following is a summary of items discussed and/or voted upon: 

Assistant Superintendent Lisa McCallister presented a COVID-19 Update. On Nov. 8, the district had 7 students quarantined due to COVID-19 exposures; 0 staff members quarantined due to COVID-19 exposures; one isolated student due to a positive COVID-19 test; and one isolated staff member due to a positive COVID-19 test. Data from the DPH Coastal Health District was presented including the Nov. 5th Recent Community Transmission Index of 105.

Superintendent David Edwards received support from BOE members for revising certain COVID protocols. Wearing masks will become optional, teacher requirements for cleaning during the school day will be reduced, and schools will have permission for all students to return to eating in the cafeteria dining areas.

Edwards reviewed the revised plans for expansion of Long County High School facilities. The estimated cost of the project range is from $5.5 to $6.5 million. The Georgia Department of Education is expected to fund approximately $2.5 million of the expansion, with the balance of the expansion cost being funded locally.

The BOE voted to approve the recommended school calendar for 2022-2023. The calendar was developed with input from school and district leadership teams, as well as teachers.

Edwards shared the District’s 2021 Graduation Rate of 95.3 percent. The rate was released to the public. He reported that when compared to the 18 school districts within our Regional Educational Service Agency area, Long County’s graduation rate ranked second. Mr. Edwards stated the Board is proud of this accomplishment and offered his congratulations to Long County’s students, parents, teachers, and staff. Edwards reported that district administrators and Sheriff Craig Nobles recently met with Pierce County School Officials to discuss concerns about enrollment of students who do not live in Long County and, therefore, are not eligible to attend Long County Schools. He stated that Pierce County allows parents of out-of-county students to submit applications and, if accepted, pay tuition to attend their schools. He also reported that Pierce County employees a social worker whose duties include conducting home visits with School Resource Officers to verify in-county residency of students. The decision concerning whether to hire a social worker will be placed on the December BOE Meeting Agenda.

Through approval of the consent agenda the following items were approved: Financial reports, hiring recommendations, previous meeting minutes, employee transfers, coaching recommendations, competition field trip requests, resignations, and retirements.