Inside A6 Cumberland students enjoy summer enrichment
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Greenhow wins national title, Pike wins major fishing tourney
Vol. XXXV No.. 5
August 4, 2021
PCPS makes masks optional in school buildings Federal mandate means coverings required on bus By Laura McFarland Editor
P
OWHATAN – Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) recently released guidance for the start of the 2021-2022 school year that includes masks being optional in school buildings but not on the bus, continued health and safety measures, and a loosening of restrictions on students and visitors. Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent, sent a notice to PCPS families on July 27 to update them on the plan staff created based on the updated school opening guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education.
Jones noted that all executive orders from the state have expired so “decisions around mitigation efforts are primarily a local decision based upon health metrics in the locality and the collective strategies schools employ to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among unvaccinated students and staff.” Jones said in a separate interview that it feels good to have those decisions back at the local level with the school board, staff, and parents. It is something he has lobbied for at the state level for months, he added. “Virginia is a large commonwealth that is very different when you move from locality to locality, and I think our school divisions represent our communities,” he said. “To be able to make a decision that we feel is best in our community is empowering. I think it acknowledges the fact that every locality is different – not just in its makeup but also what its health metrics are and how it is doing in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.” According to the school division’s plan, masks will be optional for students and staff with those wishing
to wear masks indoors allowed to do so. The school division is still encouraging people who are not vaccinated to strongly consider wearing a mask indoors when social distancing cannot be met. While masks aren’t required in the schools, a federal mandate to wear masks while using public transportation is still in effect, which applies to school buses, Jones said. Until the order expires, all students and staff will be required to wear masks while on a school bus, van, or car. However, social distancing requirements on school buses have expired, and the school division is returning to normal passenger capacity. Jones added that if there are medical concerns, families may contact the transportation department. PCPS will continue to socially distance students in the classroom to the extent possible, but small group instruction and collaboration between students will return and be implemented when possible by teachers, Jones said. Students will also be allowed to eat see PCPS, pg. 8
Medical freedom resolution fails
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Residents speak at the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 26. Most speakers were in favor of the board adopting the First Amendment and Medical Freedom Resolution, which failed in a 3-2 vote.
Local students find summer magic in Harry Potter Camp PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
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Local students participate in a Harry Potter Camp, one of several enrichment camps offered in the last five weeks by Powhatan County Public Schools. See more summer camp photos on Page 8A.
Grant funding for teachers returns in fall By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – Powhatan County educators will have the chance to enrich their classroom offerings and help their students when needed thanks to the return of two new grant sources for the 20212022 school year. Every Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) teacher, librarian, and counselor will once again receive a $1,000 individualized grant to spend on their classroom or their students in the coming school year, according to Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent. Jones recently sent an email to school staff informing them that for the third year in a row, Bob and Karla Curtis would be donating enough funds for each of them to have $1,000 to spend on items they needed. The couple donated $367,000 this year to fund the project. For a profession that is notorious for teachers taking money out of their own pockets to pay for special supplies they want or to help a student who is lacking something, having this resource available to them is a huge benefit for Powhatan, Jones said. “My hope is that it relieves some stress on our teachers’ part that allows them to focus on what their classroom needs are without taking it out of their own pocketbook. I also hope that it continues to support our students who need it the most with some direct benefit to them,” he said. see GRANTS, pg. 5
By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors was split and the community outspoken about a symbolic medical freedom resolution that failed to pass at a recent meeting. During the board’s meeting on Monday, July 26, the First Amendment and Medical Freedom Resolution caused tension among supervisors and community members and ultimately failed to pass in a 3-2 vote. David Williams, who represents District 1; Tom Berry, District 2, and Bill Cox, District 4, voted against passing the resolution. Chairwoman Karin Carmack, District 5, and Mike Byerly, District 3, voted for it. Byerly introduced the resolution, which is primarily symbolic in na-
ture in its intent but stated the board’s support of the right of people to refuse to receive a vaccination on the grounds of religious liberty should it ever be mandated. “I believe wholeheartedly that you have the right to decline the vaccination should it ever be mandated. It is not mandated right now, but I will tell you something else, I don’t change the oil in my truck after the motor blows up either,” Byerly said. The resolution seemed to be widely supported by those in attendance. Of the 18 people who spoke in the first public comment period, 15 spoke directly in support of the resolution, many praising Byerly for presenting it and promising other board members there would be consequences if they didn’t pass it.
It was a passionate issue for many, with several vocal outbursts among audience members during the board discussion, and, when the only two people who spoke against the resolution or Byerly’s recent involvement in the critical race theory issue left before the meeting was over, there were jeers from some audience members. At the heart of the debate the board members had was the intent of the resolution. Byerly stressed it was a resolution and not a law or ordinance, and Carmack echoed that sentiment, saying “all it is is affirming our commitment to the First Amendment and medical freedom.” But the very symbolic nature of the resolution and what it was or wasn’t purporting to do was itself a bone of contention see MEDICAL pg. 4
County could receive state funds to extend Village trails By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to pass legislation that could provide $150,173 for the construction of a new walking and running trail in Powhatan County. If signed into law, the funding for a new “Education Connection Trail” — which U.S. RepresenIMAGE COURTESY OF POWHATAN COUNTY tative Abigail Spanberger Shown are the trails in the Powhatan Village and see TRAILS, pg. 3
one that may be added if funding is approved.