Commissioners reopen walking trail
Swain County Board of Commissioners heard an update on the work of Swain County Schools to see that students can continue learning while schools are closed during the coronavirus crisis. Under an executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper, public schools have been closed since March 16 and will extend at least through May 15.
The board heard from Swain Schools Superintendent Mark Sale on Thursday morning during a special called session to discuss the virus ahead of a two-week closure of county offices.
Sale reported that the school system plans to continue to operate under the same conditions it has since the closures.
The school’s nutrition program continues to offer packaged meals both from the two elementary cafeterias and middle school as well as delivering them by bus. So far, the system has served over 85,000 meals since schools closed.
More recently, Sale said, the buses have begun delivering instructional supplies as well for families, such as construction paper, manipulatives for counting, multiplication cards, paper and more. Parents can request the supplies from the bus drivers, Sale said.
Staff have protective equipment like gloves and masks, he said, and are maintaining social distancing. For example, a staff person is now setting the bagged lunches down opposed to handing them off for pick up.
Some teachers lacking sufficient internet connections at home are still coming to campus— an estimated 20 percent, but Sale said they too have been instructed to take extra social distancing precautions. Teachers are contacting students several times a week.
Student engagement varies, Sale reported, with a high response rate, 95% or more for Pre-K through Middle School but much less for high school students.
To help overcome high school students being disengaged, teachers are contacting the students directly. Sale estimated a return of about 60%.
“At some point, we will be back in school and in the buildings. I don’t know when that will be. Right now, the governor says May 18, but I don’t know,” Sale said. “We want to make sure we’ve lost as little ground as possible. There will still be educational loss; there’s no way we can get away from that. What I’m afraid of is we’ll see a gap between families with more initiative and those with a little less. I’m afraid that gap is going to widen. We’re already looking at how can we remediate and help the students who have fallen behind.”
While a great amount of effort has been made to provide access points for obtaining WiFi within the community, for some it’s still not a feasible way to learn. To help in that effort, some are supplied with packets or thumb drives with learning materials.
The challenge for some students is great, particularly at the high school level. One teacher recently reported some students are working extra hours to help support their families.
“One difficulty with helping parents is they have a limited time frame when they can interact with the schools,” Sale said, adding a lot of work is being done in the evenings from 5-8 p.m.
Commissioner Roger Parsons commended Sale and the school system.
“you I believe the school system is doing great in the situation we are in and I have heard nothing but positive feedback I congratulate you and all our school personnel,” he said.
No additional restrictions
The schools discussion was followed by updates from the county’s coronavirus emergency team.
“The emergency team met yesterday, and we have no further restrictions to recommend,” said County Manager Kevin King. “I think we’re doing a good job, and we will keep recommendations as is and revisit it May 4.”
The commissioners will have their next special session Monday, May 4 following the two-week closure of county offices in light of projections the state will reach its peak of COVID-19 during that time period.
As of Thursday, April 16, there are no positive cases in the county. More than 150 people have been tested for the virus.
County Health Director Alison Cochran said the health department would remain open but the lobby doors would be locked and patients would be seen by appointment during the two-week period.
“I’m pleased with the citizens of Swain County,” commented Chairman Ben Bushyheady. “The distancing is the only thing we know that appears to be working in stopping the spread.”
Sheriff Curtis Cochran said that the department has been busy with calls. He noted the department has received complaints about seeing out of state license plates but after doing some research he said many are local property owners who have a right to be in Swain County.
“There are people from 50 states and three countries who own property here,” he said. “We inform the about the quarantine process.”
Under local State of Emergency action, people from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival including having purchases supplies prior to coming to Swain County.
The sheriff declined to answer questions about the 10 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew in effect under the State of Emergency citing pending litigation.
Commissioner Kenneth Parton asked to revisit discussion on the curfew, adding, “I still see it as an unneeded regulation.”
Bushyhead decline to allow further discussion, however, noting the board decided to take it up again on May 4. He added the board should also get legal advise on the subject.
Parton also said he’s had some ask about why the gate on Old 288 that lead to the boat dock and David Monteith River Park is closed.
King responded, yes, it’s a multi-use park that includes picnic tables and that it’s been closed along with the other two county parks—the Recreation Park and the Alarka Playground.
Come Tuesday, King reported that he determined to reopen the walking trail at the recreation park, which will be one-way and those using the trail are advised to follow the six-foot social distancing guidance. Additionally, the park on Old 288 has also been reopened, allowing access to the boat ramp. However, the covered picnic area, the Beasley pavilion, remains closed for now.
King said both parks fall under his authority, and he conferred with the commissioners again after Bushyhead reached out to him.
“We had a lot of people who wanted to put their boats in,” King said.
The board has cancelled its work session scheduled for Thursday and will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 4.