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Updates regarding COVID-19 and the school facilities were discussed during Monday's meeting of the Marietta City Schools Board of Education.
Superintendent Will Hampton began by talking about some of the challenges the coronavirus has brought to the school system.
A major issue is a lack of substitutes since so many teachers are having to quarantine.
"We are really lacking in substitutes. Lately that's been overwhelming," Hampton said. "I'm really proud with how our staff has responded. It was encouraging to see how everyone chips in when they need to."
Hampton said at the present time, winter sports will still be played but said it's going to take an effort for those athletes to be able to play a whole season. He said the community needs to take the advice of the governor and health officials to do their part to keep kids in school and athletes playing sports.
Board president Doug Mallett said he believes the biggest struggle has been among the administration and staff in regards to contracting the virus.
Vice president Russ Garrison agreed and said "we're not getting a significant spread within the school buildings. The cases we are getting are from the community members and then coming to school and exposing others and forcing us into quarantine. I think the protocols in the buildings are working well," he said.
Darrel Prim, facilities and transportation manager, provided an update with some of the ongoing projects among the school district.
Wi-Fi routers have been installed in the buses and are up and running.
"(We're) getting good reports that kids are happy to have Wi-Fi on their way home from school," he said.
A special needs bus will be added soon as they are expecting it to arrive after shipment was initially delayed due to the coronavirus.
Prim also briefed the school board on the amount of personal protective equipment the school system received. He said they have about 5,000 masks and were able to receive 70 hand sanitizer dispensers for the walls.
"(I've) been getting with the principals to see where else they want to put them up," Prim said.
As deadline Monday evening, the board remained in executive session.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.