The coronavirus scare was addressed by Quitman ISD superintendent Rhonda Turner at the March 9 board meeting. She said the school is preparing but there is no need to panic. 

“We are doing our best at the school district not to cause any panic. We’re continuing to do the same as we do with flu outbreaks which we’re accustomed to,” she said. 

School staff will be frequently cleaning, washing desktops down more often between classes and continuing the sanitary practices already in place. 

“We do have more of an alert from our community and we know parents worry about their kids even though we know there’s no reason to be in a crisis mode,” Turner said.

Turner is getting her information through the Centers for Disease Control, Texas Education Agency and NetHealth. Along with other school superintendents, local judges and emergency responders, Turner will be attending a meeting on Thursday in Winnsboro to discuss any kind of extra precautions that need to be taken.

“We’re trying to stay on top of it and keep our community informed, and make sure our staff is well trained,” she said.

Turner said she is not in fear of having to close down the school because of the virus. The more likely scenario, if the school were to close, would be too many staff members out sick rather than having too many sick students, but she doesn’t anticipate that at all.

Quitman ISD has secured the purchase of the building located at 600 N. Winnsboro St.

A plan is in place to repair and replace items recommended from the inspection. The new building will house the central office administration and the board of trustees board room where all public meetings will take place.

The board approved the purchase of 110 calculators from SCANTEX for $14,553. Due to most of the old calculators no longer working, it is time to replace this item that kids use daily, said Assistant Superintendent Christopher Mason. 

The board also approved a contract with Capturing Kids’ Hearts for $72,500. Of the amount approved, $35,000 has been donated by the Wood County hospital district and $10,000 is Title One money that was previously set aside. The remaining $27,500 will be paid from next year’s Title One budget.

Capturing Kid’s Hearts is a research-based program that seeks to improve school performance through fewer discipline referrals, improved attendance, higher student achievement, lower dropout rates and higher teacher satisfaction.

_{John Ring says Wood County Now is located in Wood County, Texas and they cover local news for Mineola, Quitman, Winnsboro, Yantis, Alba, Golden, Hawkins, Holly Lake Ranch and all unincorporated areas.}