Following the recent threat of an attack against South Pike High School, a substitute teacher expressed security concerns.
At the South Pike Board of Education’s meeting Thursday morning, Leslie Hurst of Magnolia said she was concerned about the school’s Sept. 20 lockdown and overall school security.
“I’m going to meet with her just to reassure her that we were following protocol and address any other issues she may have,” Superintendent Johnnie Vick said.
On Vick’s recommendation, the board approved a motion not to make up Wednesday, Sept. 5, when schools were closed because of the Hurricane Gordon warning.
“Given where we are right now at the start of the school year, we don’t know what the winter time is going to bring,” Vick said. “I’m recommending that it’s not in our best interest right now to move forward.”
In other business, the board:
• Awarded School Recognition Funds from the state to Osyka Elementary School. Because Osyka’s rating improved from a D to a C, the school received $17, 391, which will be distributed among its certified staff.
• Approved a workers compensation policy proposal for the Mississippi School board Association’s Workers Compensation Trust, of which the district is a member. The estimated cost per year is $130,409. Business Manager DeLorean Hall submitted the proposal.
• Approved district test security plans submitted by District Test Coordinator April Huff for 2018-19.
• Approved Technology Coordinator Andrei Jennings’ request to go out for bid for fiber connectivity of the district’s Internet and intranet.
• Approved to bring the Armistad Law Firm, PLCC, to provide professional development services for the faculty and staff by addressing the topic of bullying. Armistad’s fee for the presentation is $750 plus travel.
• Approved Federal Program Director Rochelle Collins’ request to submit the Consolidated Federal Program Application.
• Approved the agreement with Southwest Mississippi Opportunity Inc., which will provide space for meetings and client program activities, assisting with referrals and more. The partnership agreement is valid from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019.
• Agreed to have a formal walk-through of campuses in November, but the date has not been determined.
• Approved the Eva Gordon Lower and Upper Elementary School’s request to add one additional teacher for its after school program. Previously, the board approved a request to appoint six teachers.
• Approved financial reports for the following: Revenue vs. Expenditure Report, Fund Summary Report, Bank Reconciliations for August 2018 and Statement of Cash Flow.
• Hired junior high girls head basketball coach Candace Felder and substitute bus driver James Rayborn.
• Hired 14 substitute teachers.
• Accepted resignation from junior high girls’ head basketball coach Latonja Lenard.
• Accepted a donation of school supplies from Walmart.
• Accepted Patricia Worthy’s donations to Eva Gordon Lower Elementary, which included early childhood developing kit, Promethean calculators and clickers and Epson document scanner.
• Approved fundraiser requests from the Achieve Foundation for Excellence, Eva Gordon Lower Elementary Principal Roxie Baker, Eva Gordon Upper Elementary Principal Geneva Holmes, South Pike Junior High Principal Warren Eyster, South Pike High School Principal Camita Dillon and Career and Technical Center Director Billy Passman.
• Approved Eva Gordon Lower Elementary’s field trip requests to take third-graders to New Orleans and Pre-K and K to Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch in Hammond, La.
