Columbus Schools limit student and staff travel due to coronavirus

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Spring field trips and other out-of-county travel by students and staff in the Columbus County Schools has been cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19, the coronavirus outbreak, a notice from the school district says.

     Athletic events within the Sandhills region will continue, at least for now, the notice said, with change possible if travel restrictions are “implemented from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association,” the notice said.

     Competitive events outside of the Sandhills region will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and must be approved by the Superintendent or Associate Superintendent.

     Other travel, including academic competitive events, must be submitted to the Superintendent for consideration, even if approval has previously been given for that travel.

     The complete text of the notice follows:

Effective immediately and until further notice:
(1) All out-of-State field trips and travel by staff and students are canceled.
(2) All out-of-District (out of Columbus County) field trips and travel by staff and students are canceled.
(3) Travel related to athletic events within the Sandhills region will continue, until additional guidance or changes are implemented from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). Competitive events outside of the Sandhills region will be considered on a case by case basis, and must be approved by the Associate Superintendent or Superintendent.
(4) Travel by students and staff to in-State co-curricular events (ie CTE competitive events, math competitions, FFA, etc.) may be submitted to the Superintendent for consideration of approval. This includes events previously approved for travel at a future date.

     Look for related information here, as events warrant, and in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.