Carter County Schools postponed the start of school to Aug. 16 due to COVID cases rising in the county, particularly in school-age children. The school district was set to begin instruction Thursday.
The county currently has 38 school-aged individuals who have tested positive for the virus in recent days, according to Carter County Health Director Jeff Barker.
This number does not include recent positive tests of adults, which includes teachers as well as those of both age groups who are in quarantine. That number is closer to 110-115.
The county is in the red and Barker said the district should be following red county guidelines according to the state. Those guidelines, found on chfs.ky.gov, include increasing vaccination efforts, physical distancing, masking, using outdoor spaces and postponing large public events.
Carter County Schools delaying start of school year after increase of COVID-19 cases among kids lex18.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lex18.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dr. Robert J. Bell Photo from Georgetown College Athletics
GRAYSON Three men, dressed in suits, took turns sitting in front of the Carter County Board of Education Wednesday during a special meeting to name an interim superintendent.
The three men were each greeted by current Superintendent Ronnie Dotson and sat in his office talked shop before being called in by the board.
The board was in executive session for two hours interviewing the candidates then discussing their choice for the role.
Dr. Robert J. Bell, of Lexington, was appointed as the interim superintendent on a motion from Rachel Fankell and a second by Miranda Tussey. It was a unanimous decision by the board.
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Superintenent Ronnie Dotson listens to what will happen following his resignation during a board of education meeting Friday. Emily Porter | The Daily Independent
EMILY PORTER
Ronnie Dotsonâs chair left vacant after he departed the board of education meeting concerning his resignation. Emily Porter | The Daily Indepedent
EMILY PORTER
Carter County Board of Education learns about the policies and procedures of hiring a superintendent from KSBA Field Consultant Don Martin. Emily Porter | The Daily Independent
EMILY PORTER
(The Center Square) â The Tennessee Department of Education is spending $30 million in COVID-19 relief to help 21 school districts create new paths to employment for students through its Innovative High School Models program.
The program features community partnerships in aviation, health care, dual enrollment opportunities, STEM-focused curriculum, automotive learning, manufacturing and virtual and workplace-based learning programs.
The grant process began with the state accepting 61 applications for the program in March. TDOE Chief of Programs Jean Luna said there was so much interest in the program she asked to expand it from the more than $14 million originally set aside.
âThe traditional model doesnât fit for every student, so the idea of the innovative high school is to meet lots of different needs,â Luna said, adding that the ideas came from feedback from employers, schools and students. âItâs to give some of those kids jumpstarts into postseco