The Chattooga County Board of Education met last night for its regular monthly meeting. The meeting was held virtually due to the closure of the school system and county office for in person learning this week.

The Board heard from the 5 candidates vying to fill Seat #5, which was vacated by the passing of Mr. Sam Ballard earlier this year. The final decision on the matter will be made  at their January meeting.

Chattooga County School Superintendent Jared Hosmer, and Chief Academic Officer Michelle Helie, recommended to the Board to continue online distance learning on Mondays until February. Chattooga County Schools decided on doing distance learning this past week after a spike in COVID cases around the county and surrounding areas.

Mrs. Helie explained that a number of students who chose the virtual learning path initially this school year, will be returning to in person learning after the winter break, for this first time this school year. These students may need the one-on-one format of virtual learning on Mondays to get them to the same point as students who had been in the classroom earlier. With the current plan of virtual Mondays working well, both Mrs. Helie and Superintendent Hosmer felt that continuing the virtual learning on Mondays is the best plan for a successful spring semester for everyone, teachers and students alike.

Board Member, Julia Houston spoke against the continuance of virtual learning feeling that it lacked participation and oversight. A vote showed support split 2-2 with Houston and John Agnew voting against the recommended plan. Board Members Brad Hayes, and Eddie Elsberry voted in support of the Superintendents plan.

The board also voted to call a virtual meeting on December 21st at 6pm to evaluate the Superintendent for the 2020 calendar year.