The Henry County Board of Education voted at its May 26 special called meeting to extend the emergency resolution originally passed in early April in response to the COVID-19 shutdown.

  The resolution previously approved was set to expire May 31 but will now remain in effect until July 31. Through its passage, the district adopted several state waivers, vested the superintendent with certain emergency powers, made certain alterations to board meetings, and suspended certain board policies.

  “In the judgment of the board, the emergency circumstances located within its jurisdiction requiring extraordinary response for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of its students, employees and stakeholders still exist,” according to the new resolution.

  In other business, the board is revising its policy regarding sexual harassment, and a new version is currently out for public review and comment. The action is in response to new regulations pertaining to Title IX that were published May 6 by the U.S. Department of Education and go into effect in August. The guidelines apply to all schools that receive federal assistance.

  The board was notified by district staff that the new policy is on the district’s website until June 5 and will be presented for adoption at the board’s June 8 business meeting. The changes deal with a reset of the definition of sexual harassment as well as the process that must take place once a claim is put in motion, one of the board’s attorneys stated at the meeting.

  Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis informed the board that the May 22 virtual celebration of the Class of 2020 was accessed by nearly 21,500 viewers, and as of the meeting more than 5,300 responses had been received regarding the remote learning survey that was distributed earlier in the month. A post-action analysis is being conducted by district leadership, and Davis said those results will be shared with the board June 8.

  The district continues to look at two primary scenarios for the return to school in the fall, Davis said. The first is an on-time, on-campus return August 3 as scheduled. The second involves a delayed on-campus return at a date to be determined.

  In both scenarios, the district plans to provide an opportunity to continue virtual or remote learning for any K-12 family that prefers it, Davis said. Officials are studying a number of varying modules from across the state and the nation for a gradual return, with options like AM and PM sessions or A-day and B-day schedules. Social distancing on school buses is also being studied.

  “Some options will only be viable with additional funding sources, Davis said, but she and other district leaders will be prepared for possible closings in the fall or winter if necessary and will continue to abide by state and federal guidelines and make safety the top priority.

  The Georgia High School Association has announced that conditioning for athletes at schools can begin June 8, and also released various protocols that go with that plan. Davis said district leaders are working with athletic directors on plans for when they will start those programs, and announcements will be made shortly.