- Approved the consent agenda relating to the removal of certain fixed assets from inventory.
- Reviewed Financial reports including bank balances, claims docket, financial statements and a vendors list of direct payables.
- Approved the advertisement of bids for supplies, etc. for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.
- Received three bids from local financial institutions as the school district's bank depository. These bids were forwarded to the State Treasurer's Office for opening and review.
- Approved the 2012-2013 School Calendar: Teachers are to report on August 1, 2012 and classes start on August 6, 2012 and the school year includes 180 instructional days. Board members referenced some pending legislation that would require school sessions to start after a certain date but there are currently no such requirements in place.
- Reviewed and approved 2 legal student transfers from LMSD to Neshoba. The students' parents worked in the Neshoba School District.
- Dealt with several 16th section land issues including approving and canceling several leases. At issue also is16th section land directly north of the Louisville Airport. FAA is requiring the removal of trees in this area for safety purposes. Land Manager Hal Overstreet indicated that after review with the Forestry Commission, the cost to extract the timber would likely exceed its worth. The cost to cut the trees would not be borne by the school system. While the Airport has an easement on the property it is not leased by the Airport. The Board expressed some interest in researching the possibility of charging for the easement. The land in question is currently under a hunting lease.
- Heard from County Agent Mike Skipper and District 4 Supervisor Gloria Turnipseed about the possibility of establishing a park in the High Point area along Turnipseed Road on 16th section land. The park would require 5-7 acres that is currently under a hunting lease. Board President Moody indicated that the current classification of the land is as timber which allows the action but concerns about the rights of the existing leaseholder and safety issues of a park in a hunting area were raised by several Board members. It was suggested that if approved the park could be closed during deer season and that a fence could possibly be built around the area. A motion was made and approved to allow Superintendent Wade, Skipper and Turnipseed to discuss the matter further with the current lease holder before any further action is taken.
- The lease rates for new leases to churches, cemeteries and parks were discussed as well. Some Board members felt lease rates for these uses should be reduced from the existing 4% of appraised value to 2%. The Secretary of State's Office has reviewed such leases in the past and has refused to sign off on them. Legal questions concerning whether the Secretary of State is required to approve such leases were raised as well as liability issues if they were not approved. Wade indicated that there is some similar legal issues pending and requested that the Board table any action for the current meeting. The Board agreed to do so.
- Board members were provided with changes to School Board Policies as a result of state and federal legal changes and regulations. Members were asked to review these changes prior to the next meeting.
- The Board arranged school visits by the Board on April 19th at Eiland and Louisville High and on April 26th at Nanih Waiya and Noxapater.
- Doctor Bryant informed the Board of several awards received at the recent PREPS Awards Banquet Dr. Wade received three awards including the Dan Merritt Award, PREPS Involvement Award and an additional award relating to his involvement with the College of Education at MSU. Two schools in the district also won Value Added Awards due to their improvement on state tests. Eiland Middle School for Algebra - Pam Reed, Teacher and Nanih Waiya for Biology - Renee Jones, Teacher. The District as a whole also received the Governor's Award for tutoring, mentoring and college prep programs as the school went from 44% to 84% of student population taking the ACT for college prep. Board President thanked Superintendent Wade and said, "He has surrounded himself with good people. These awards are as much theirs as anyone's."
- Approved on a 4-1 vote to utilize 'Board Books" which is an electronic method of conducting school board meetings using digital data and IPads. Wade indicated that the use of digital data should speed up the process and provide Board Members better history and documentation.
Prior to entering executive session on legal and personnel issues, the Board set their next meeting at 5:30 on April 10th.
W. McCully
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