The Christian County School Board approved contracts Thursday night for school resource officers for the upcoming year and discussed what might happen with the rest of this school year and graduation during the pandemic.
Superintendent Mary Ann Gemmill says there will be a conference call between all Kentucky superintendents and Governor Andy Beshear Monday or Tuesday, likely regarding if schools can resume May 1 or if the closure to in-person instruction will be continued. After that, she says decisions will have to be made on options for celebrating the class of 2020.
Board member Lindsey Clark mentioned one potential option of utilizing social distancing at the Stadium of Champions by using both sets of bleachers and limiting the number of guests each graduate is permitted, though he acknowledged it’s only an idea that may not be possible.
All board members praised food service workers who have continued working to provide meals to students in need.
Hopkinsville police will continue to have two resource officers at high schools, two at middle schools and one at the alternative school, while the Christian County Sheriff’s Office will add an additional SRO with three serving at elementary schools and Gateway Academy, according to Brad Hawkins.
Total cost of the eight SRO’s will come in at just over $422,000.
A memorandum of understanding with the Christian County Health Department was approved saying a drive-thru testing site can be established between now and the end of July in the parking lot at MLK Elementary or at the Stadium of Champions parking lot, should the need arise.
Board workshops scheduled for May 7 and June 4 were canceled and items that would have been on those agendas will be placed on the regular meeting agendas.