BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Tragedy has hit Lee County Schools once again.
Custodian Bill Bailey died from COVID-19 over the weekend, according to Superintendent Sarah Wasson.
She said he was a beloved employee and his coworkers described him as a loving and funny man.
"He was kind of a prankster, but he had a lot of fun with people. He loved his kids, he loved the staff, he loved his job," Wasson said.
LEX18 has not been able to confirm Bailey's vaccination status.
He is the second Lee County Schools staff member to die of COVID since the start of the school year.
Heather Antle, an instructional assistant, died two weeks ago after battling the virus.
Two other staff members are in the ICU with the virus and one is on a ventilator, according to Wason.
"They're both making improvements so we're feeling very hopeful for them," she said.
She is also hopeful for the future because the district is now doing weekly COVID-19 testing.
148 students and staff of about 1,000 opted into being tested last week.
"Wild Health and the guidance from public health has said if we can screen 10 percent of our population then it will help us to guide us in our decision making and so that 148 was more than 10 percent of our population," Wasson said.
Currently, District data shows there are ten active cases among students and staff. Wasson is reassessing every day what to do to slow the spread.
