by Jackie Nunnery
The Lancaster school board on Tuesday, October 12, approved a new emergency leave policy for vaccinated employees who test positive for COVID-19.
School board members Kenya Moody of District 2, Cindy Clarke of District 3, Joan Gravatt of District 4 and Carolyn Young of District 5 all approved the new policy, 4-0. Katherine Keith of District 1 was absent.
Under the new policy, those fully vaccinated employees who must quarantine due to a positive test may receive up to 10 days of emergency paid leave. To be eligible, they must have a letter from the Virginia Department of Health or the Three Rivers Health District stating the required leave and must have used all their personal paid leave.
Other news
Board chairman Gravatt congratulated the Lancaster High School golf team for bringing home the 2021 state championship.
Superintendent Dan Russell recognized the recent passing of bus driver Paul Webster. “He impacted a lot of children and a lot of families. Our thoughts are with the family,” he said.
Russell also indicated that security measures have been heightened at athletic events. “We are utilizing our wands and metal detectors and are in the process of ordering metal detectors for the high school given the nature of events that have occurred,” he said, referring to a September 24 incident at an Essex High School football game in which a fight broke out in the school parking lot, followed by gun shots. No one was injured and….[to-view-more]