New cases top 1,000; recoveries surpass 40,000
State planning to provide leave support for teachers, staff
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of Education Johnny Key announced a proposal for funding for COVID-19 Emergency Leave for School Employees during the daily COVID-19 briefing Friday.
Key said this has been one of the top concerns of teachers. They do not want to lose their leave.
The proposal still needs approval from the CARES Act Steering Committee. The funding would be $20 million available through the end of the calendar year for all teachers and support staff.
The funds can be used by school employees who must quarantine for Covidrelated reasons.
Key said these funds would be available before any other leave options.
Key also took the opportunity to clarify that when he said schools must be open five days each week, he meant they must make buildings on campus available to families and students who need them.
When asked about Benton School District’s alternate days plan, Key said most schools ease back in the first week. After the second week, the district will make the buildings available to any student who needs it.
Hutchinson also announced he is signing an executive order clarifying those concerned about COVID-19 will be able to use that as a reason to request an absentee ballot. Because so many requests are expected, the order will also allow county clerks to begin preparing the absentee ballots for counting two weeks before the election.
“The ballots cannot be opened until the law allows,” Hutchinson said, adding that is 8:30 a.m. election day.
A full story on Saline County Clerk Doug Curtis discussing absentee ballots and the process will be in a future edition of The Saline Courier.
Hutchinson announced the state had 1,011 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total to 48,039 with 7,158 active.
Hospitalizations rose by nine to 523 with 116 on ventilators. Deaths increased by six to 521.
The top counties with new cases of COVID19 are Pulaski with 182, Jefferson with 61, Craighead with 53, Mississippi with
44, Sebastian with 43, Washington with 41, Independence with 40 and Benton with 32.
Saline County has had 975 cases with 170 active, 799 recovered and six deaths.
Across the country, there have been 4,904,474 cases with 1,598,624 recoveries and 160,437 deaths.
The state received results for 6,224 tests.
Jacksonvilled North Pulaski School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Duffy spoke about his district.
“We have been preparing for reopening school since early May,” he said.
The district has been preparing plans and held professional development.
He plans for the district to address concerns as they arise.
He feels for many students, there is no substitution for in class learning.
He added his community has given him positive feedback.
Hutchinson said reopening schools is all about what is best for the student.
Key said the Ready For School Call Center employees will do their best to answer questions. If they don’t know the answer, they will find the answer and follow up.
Hutchinson said based on the recommendations from the High School
Sports Advisory Group and the Arkansas Activities Association, football teams will be able to run contact drills starting today.
Hutchinson holds the briefings at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.