Cumberland County Schools teacher dies from COVID-19 complications

A Cumberland County teacher has died due to complications from COVID-19.

Posted 10:40 p.m. Sep 10, 2021 — Updated 1:06 a.m. Sep 11, 2021

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Cumberland County teacher has died due to complications from COVID-19.

Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. released a statement about the death on Friday. Dr. Connelly clarified that the person was not teaching during the current school year.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of one of our teachers, due to complications from COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers are with the employee’s family and loved ones. Schools are learning communities made up of employees, students and their families. Although the employee did not have the opportunity to teach this academic year, the school community is still feeling this loss. Please keep them in your thoughts as well. Because of confidentiality laws, we are unable to share additional information at this time.”

The person was not identified by the district. In 2020, Richard "Rick" Alan Martin died from COVID-19 complications. Martin had taught science at Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School in Fayetteville since 2007.

Recently, the district notified parents that all practices and games at Cape Fear High School and Jack Britt High School are temporarily halted due to coronavirus. Another COVID-19 cluster is impacting Beaver Dam Elementary in Roseboro, where all classes will be virtual until at least Sept. 10.

Cumberland County Schools reported 221 COVID-19 cases throughout the district during the first week of school, according to Lindsay Whitley, a Cumberland County Schools spokesman.

Cumberland County Schools is the fifth largest school district in North Carolina with more than 50,000 students.

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