Overton Schools See Drop In COVID Numbers After Extended Labor Day

Overton County Schools’ extended Labor Day break was successful in the opinion of Director of Schools Donnie Holman.

Holman closed schools for two days on September 1st with 144 students COVID positive. As of Friday, Holman said that number has since dropped to 43.

“I think five days off there together, I do believe it helped,” Holman said. “I am not sure that it was a cure all by any stretch, but I do think it helped some. I hope we don’t have to take off any more days like that, because those were two of our stockpile days.”

Holman said Livingston Academy was one of the hot spots for COVID infections. Holman said the school had a strong decrease from 70 students with COVID to 15.

“I do want the parents to know that we’ve as administrators in the county, we’ve talked a lot about all the things that we can do and should do,” Holman said. “We’re doing the best we can to keep our school cleans. It is difficult to separate when there is such a large number of students in the building, but we’re keeping it separated the best we can.”

Holman said at this time, no other closures or mandates are on the agenda. Holman said the plan moving forward is to continue in-person instruction.

“I would like to thank the parents of Overton County with working with us, for working with each school and being patient with us,” Holman said. “That makes all the difference.”