Board votes to continue COVID-19 leave

The Malvern School District, during a regular meeting Monday, voted to continue its policies involving COVID-19 leave for employees.

The board had previously approved the leave policies at the beginning of the year for the first semester.

According to the policies for classified and certified pe r s onne l , the district provides leave for employees due to COVID-19. An employee can qualify for this leave, if an employee is ordered to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19, has tested positive for COVID-19, is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis or is a probable close contact or close contact.

In the classified personnel policy, it is mentioned that individuals will also be eligible for leave if they need to care for a dependent who is subject to quarantine or isolation order and the employee’s job duties are not able to performed remotely.

Both classified and certified employees will be paid their full daily rate of pay.

Along with being approved by the board, the policies were also approved by the district’s Certified and Classified Personnel Policy Committees.

During the administrative reports section of the meeting, Superintendent Brian Golden told board members that staff have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and they are scheduled to received the second dose beginning later this week.

There have not been any major issues during the process, Golden said.

He also mentioned that more than 2,000 bills filed during the Arkansas General Assembly Legislative Session have involved education. Golden said he will keep board members informed about bills as the session continues.

After meeting in an executive session for about 25 minutes, the board returned to the open session and approved personnel changes. These changes include: New hires

•Justin Garner, JROTC instructor, effective March 30, 2021.

•Linda Taylor, Malvern Elementary School aide, effective Feb. 9, 2021.

Addendums- effective second semester 2020-21

•Sydney Adair, BSE +15 to MSE.

•Brigette Pulley, National Board certified teacher stipend.

Contract renewal

•Lillian Harper, assistant superintendent.

•Gerald Hatley, assistant superintendent.

The next board meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. March 8. As of now, the meeting will take place at Malvern High School Auditorium.