The Lamar County School District Board of Education voted on several matters regarding the COVID-19 pandemic during their regular-called meeting on May 11, which was held virtually and posted on YouTube.
In the first measure, board members voted unanimously to suspend the use of all district facilities to the public until further notice. The board then voted to prohibit any additional school-organized events through May 31.
Board President Deborah Pierce agreed with the idea of disallowing the events.
“Safety for all involved – the students, the parents, teachers, staff (is important),” she said. “Having that many people together outside at an event is right now against the guidelines set forth by the governor and the (Centers for Disease Control). Right now, it’s at 20 people; anything above that would be basically against those guidelines.”
Board members also voted 5-0 to not allow schools to refund the cost of unused caps and gowns for graduation.
Superintendent Tess Smith said she did not know the exact fees, as they vary by school and company.
“Students have to submit measurements, so they were ordered and paid for based on that request,” Smith said.
Lastly, board members voted to allow summer sports activities to begin June 1, if approved by the Mississippi High School Athletic Association.
