Timber which was damaged in a twister last year will earnmore than $37,000 for the North Pike School District.
On Tuesday, trustees approved a bid of $37,295 for the saleof the trees to Columbus Lumber Company of Brookhaven. The timberis on 16th Section land in the West Topisaw-Felder's campgroundarea. Superintendent Jimmy Jones said the timber is being cutin order to replant the land.
"This is the result of a twister that came through inJune 1998," Jones said. "It damaged the roof and walkwayat the elementary school and some of the trees in that area."
In another matter, trustees updated the district's policyon graduation requirements. The revision reduces the number ofCarnegie units required for graduation from 22 to 20.
"Last year the State Department of Education changed therequirements to allow students to take more electives," Jonessaid. "They were on a plan to increase the number of unitsrequired, but they scaled back a little bit on the core requirements."
Jones said he doesn't feel the change will hurt the curriculum."Most students will still have more than 20 units,"he said. "They'll just have more elective courses. Ican remember about 14 years ago there were only 16 Carnegie unitsrequired."
The change affects students graduating in May 2000.
In other business, the board:
Accepted high bids on hunting/fishing leases of 16thSection land. F&N Hunting Club was the high bidder for 50acres in section 16-4-9 with $750. Jerry Dickerson was the highbidder for 82 acres in section 16-4-9 with $1,157. Trustees approvedthe bids with the understanding that the present leaseholdersfirst have the opportunity to match the bid and retain the lease.
Approved a pay schedule of $12.50 per hour for TitleI tutors who work in the district's afterschool program.The tutors are certified teachers and receive salaries throughTitle I funds.
Approved transfers for middle school students Matthewand Justin Hay from North Pike to McComb. Their mother is employedby McComb schools.
Entered into executive session to discuss a legal matter.
