Hancock County students and personnel will continue to wear masks when on school property or in school-owned transportation.     Upon recommendation from Superintendent Dawn Petrovich, the Board of Education  voted to extend the mandatory mask mandate until October 25 at which time the Board will revisit the issue.   With Board member Toni Hinerman absent, members Kaser, Shaw and Chappell voted in favor of continuing the mask mandate while member Gillette voted against.

      Petrovich noted the mask mandate has significantly reduced quarantines of those in proximity of COVID-infected individuals.  Friday, October 8 there were 23 COVID-positive school-aged children with four quarantined.   An additional 42 were quarantined due to exposure which occurred outside the school boundaries.

       Speakers addressed the Board questioning the authority of the CDC or Health Board to make rules or health care decisions for their children. 

        Board President Danny Kaser made a statement at the conclusion of the meeting, expressing his support for the guidance of those involved in the monitoring of  COVID in the schools and county:

       “I value the Hancock County Health Department, CDC, School Nurses and their leader Kathy Dray and support and respect their input until this pandemic is over.”

In other business, the Board:

**Approved the resignation of Weir Middle School teachers Lauren Markish and Sandra Duke;

**Transferred Kim Swords from 7^th grade Math teachers at Oak Glen Middle to Career Awareness & Learning Skills, Oak Glen Middle;

**Approved Natalie Charlton as Weir High’s Class of 2024 co-sponsor;

**Approved a leave of absence for Roseanna Finney and Amy McKitrick;

**Accepted the resignation of Warner Haught from Bus Operator #181.   Haught is retiring;

**Approved Nicole Hurst as a Substitute Bus Driver;

**Approved the following overnight field trips:

    *Weir High School Future Business Leaders of America for the Fall Leadership Conference in Flatwoods, Oct, 25-26;

    *Oak Glen High School Softball team to Myrtle Beach, SC for the Ripken Softball Sprint Training, March 15-18;

    *Oak Glen High School Wrestling Team to Wheeling Park Duals in Wheeling, Dec. 29;

    *Oak Glen High School Wrestling Team to OVAC Tournaments in Wheeling Jan. 13 – 14;

    *Oak Glen High School Wrestling Team to Region I AA/A Tournament in Fairmont Feb, 18;

    *CTE students to travel to Educators Rising 2021 Fall Leadership Conference in Flatwoods, Nov. 9