Superintendent Todd Bowden gave an update on the shelters used during Hurricane Irma.  At the height of the storm we had 14 of our schools open as shelters serving approximately 18,838 evacuees.  The shelters were staffed by and large by school district personnel supplemented with county, Department of Health, Sheriff's Department staff and the National Guard.  He said he has a great sense of pride in the service we provided for our community.  He said he received many, many emails, and every one positive, about the experience they had in our schools.  He thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication during and after the storm. A short video of the special needs shelter at Tatum Ridge was shown.  A celebration honoring all the shelter workers is being planning for a future date.

Dr. Bowen also stated that the State defines a school year as 180 days or 900 hours of instruction. Since our district has 30 extra minutes per day of instruction, thanks to the referendum dollars, the additional 90 hours of instruction provided exceeds the lost time due to Hurricane Irma. So no "make up" days will be required. 

BOWDEN