Randy Lafferty Appointed to Spring Cove School Board; Supt. Reports on COVID Numbers

Editor's Note: The print edition of this story had an incorrect headline. The correct information is that Randy Lafferty was appointed to Spring Cove School Board. The error was the Herald's and the Herald apologizes for the error.

The Monday, March 8, Spring Cove School District Board of Directors’ Special Meeting and Committee of the Whole meeting was primarily focused on filling the vacant board seat created by Jason Rhykerd’s resignation in February.

The open board position attracted four potential candidates who fielded questions from board members. Ryan Myers, Douglas McLaughlin, T. Kozminski and Randy Lafferty all provided answers to school board directors’ questions concerning multiple issues.

The candidates were asked what they saw their role as in day-to-day operation of the schools, how a school board member could help students academic achievement, what were the biggest challenges facing the school district and how they would address them and their stance on handling tax increases and program cuts.

The board nominated Randy Lafferty and Ryan Myers for the board appointment. Myers received four votes from the board while Lafferty received five votes to fill the open slot. Lafferty will immediately fill the open board position with his appointment running through the first Monday of December 2021.

Other business

A new secondary math program by the Glencoe Math series, was recommended by secondary math teachers Kate Muthler and Heidi Stern. Stern said that the Glencoe Math Series was “recommended because they have very good resources for both virtual and in person learning.”

Central High School Principal Stephanie Thompson spoke to the board on science textbook recommendations. Thompson told the board that students could access the textbooks on Chromebooks or use the hardback version. A textbook would be bought for every student in the class. There would be no need for students to share textbooks.

Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker reported that the COVID-19 case counts are currently one at Central High School, two at Spring Cove Middle School, and zero at both elementary schools.

The Spring Cove Middle School will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday because it now has two cases, and that is the district’s threshold for closure.

Supt. Baker reported that the district was allocated additional doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine on Monday. March 8, so all district employees and contractors who wish to get the vaccine will be able to do so as part of the first round of distributions. Those distributions are expected to occur over the next two weeks.

Kindergarten registration is now underway. The district currently has 84 students registered with additional registrations coming in daily.

The Central High School mock trial team won the district championship. Derek Showalter was selected as Best Advocate and Dylan Ceschini was chosen as Best Witness. The team will now move on to regionals.

Next week’s regular school board meeting will include accepting the resignation of the junior high softball coach and the hiring of a junior high assistant baseball coach. Also planned are the hiring of additional game workers, additional bus and van drivers and a mechanic for the 2020-21 school year, and the hiring of a part-time custodian.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 15. All school board meetings will be held by remote access until further notice.