LMSD Board Discuss Drug Testing/School Properties/Dist 4 Vacancy

At Tuesday night's meeting, the LMSD Board handled numerous items including staffing issues, bids for next year's school services, financial reports, student transfers and numerous policies as well as the continued vacancy of a District 4 Board member. Here are the highlights:

* Approval of the removal of numerous items from school inventory.
* Approved staffing recommendations and accepted resignations for teachers and other staff, including the approval for staff to be employed in the Summer Feeding Programs at LHS, Eiland, Noxapater and Nanih Waiya.
* Reviewed and approved financial reports, claim dockets, bank balances and the transfer of funds from 16th section interest to District Maintenance. Some of these funds will be used for payment of 4 buses previously purchased by the District.
* Reviewed and approved the following vendors as lowest/best bids for school food services: Griffin Industries, Frasier's Pest Control, Wash on Wheels, US Beverage and Southern Waste.
* Reviewed and approved bids on materials and supplies for the 2011-2012 school year.
*Reviewed and approved the School's Food Service Policies and Procedures.
*Reviewed School Transfer Requests from and to county schools. Some transfers required no action as they were allowable by state law. These include students whose parent is a teacher in another district or those who live more than 30 miles from the school location within their own districts. No action was taken on other requests.
*Dealt with 16th secion issues including: cancellation of an expired lease in 16-14-12, approved a high bid on a timber sale for $256,998 and reviewed 5 expired leases for renewal.
* Discussed abandoned school properties such as the Old Gum Branch School that are not 16th section. Structures located on this and other properties similar to this are in poor repair and it was requested that a complete list of these be established and discussion entertained at future meetings to consider the sale of these properties.
*Approved a pay increase for substitute bus drivers from $15 per hour to $17.50. Superintendent Wade indicated that it was difficult to find qualified substitute drivers and hoped that this might be an incentive.
*Approved payment to personnel for in-district travel when required to use their personal vehicle. Wade indicated that the school van was utilized but was often not available when individual personnel must travel between schools. Some programs that required travel were funded by grants that included travel costs but others were not. Wade indicated that the district needed a fair policy for personnel. The policy was approved at the federal rate of reimbursement as Board President Moody indicated that the costs should be closely monitored and Board Member Donald requested quarterly reports to determine if in the future, it might be less costly to purchase additional district vehicles rather than pay for use of personal vehicles.
* Wade requested that Board members review the drug testing policy. He indicated that LMSD was testing a higher number of students than most other districts. He noted hat the district was spending approximately $25,000 per year on testing and that a policy based upon a random percentage or suspicion of drug use would save the district. He indicated that current policy required 100% testing of athletes and other students involved in extracurricular activities and that there were very few positive tests except in cases where there was a suspicion of drug abuse. The Board agreed to review the policy and discuss it further at the next regular meeting.
In the last public agenda item, Jacqueline Steele, a resident of District 4 addressed the Board with concerns about the continued vacancy of the District 4 board member. Steele addressed the board in the May meeting as well. She indicated that at that time, a petition requesting the appointment of Cathy Edwards was presented to the Board and that the constituents' position had not changed. Moody asked Steele if any other suggestions for the position had been brought forward. Steele indicated that no other candidates had been considered.
Moody said, "I am at a loss as to where to go from here." He indicated that contact with individuals in District 4 had produced no requests to consider any other candidates but Edwards. He also noted that it would appear that Edwards would likely be the next board member from District 4 whether she was appointed to fill the current vacancy or if the citizens have to wait until the next election in 2012.
Board member Byrd made a motion to appoint Edwards to the Board that was seconded by Moody. The motion did not pass on a 2-2 vote with Donald and Crowell opposing the appointment.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is scheduled for July 19th, however the board will meet in budget hearings at 8:30 on June the 23rd.