So. Fork Schools following Gov. Mandates

KINCAID — The South Fork Board of Education held a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the junior high Media Center.

As with many schools across the county, South Fork voted to follow the Governor’s mask mandate in the schools at the meeting. During the July Board meeting, the Board approved a return to in person learning plan that allowed for local control, in a three phased process that was dependent upon local numbers and CDC guidance. Superintendent Chris Clark said that their plan was overruled by the Governor’s mandate, but the district would have followed the advice of the health department anyway. It was his hope that the COVID numbers might fall in the future and allow the district to return to their three phased plan for local control.

With the first day of school falling on the 18, both principals said that the students had done exceptionally well. Clark attributed that the students and families knowing what to expect from last year. South Fork was one of the few schools to continue in person learning throughout the majority of the passed school year. Students already understood the protocol and were able to focus on being back in the building to learn.

JHP Architecture was present at the meeting to present on a new HVAC system. The district has been looking at the HVAC and mechanical improvements for the last few months, as it is a project that badly needs done. JHP said that the systems the district currently had were very much out of date and needing replaced.. For the high school, they recommended a BRF system that would allow each classroom to have it’s own controls for heating or cooling. They also said they could install
a fresh air system, an out- door air processor, that would continuously circulate fresh air into the building. And finally, in a move that none of the other possible project presentations have done, JHP said they could also install a heating/cooling unit for the gym as well.

To upgrade the mechanical system and amps to support the new HVAC systems, JHP estimated a cost of roughly $40,000. For the gym system, they expected the cost to be approximately $200,000, and the BRF system would be the most expensive at $670,000. Total, the project would cost the district around $910,000.

Clark said he would get together with the Building Committee to discuss the district’s options and hopefully they would have a recommendation for the Board at the next meeting.

Also approved at the meeting:

– Second reading of the updated district policies

– Second reading of the elementary handbook

– Second reading of the JH/HS handbook

– Safe Passage Grant application for $3,700

The next meeting of the South Fork Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the junior high media center.