The South Pike School District will have the same number of students at its schools next year, but will go from five to three campuses.
Upon a recommendation by Superintendent Estes Taplin Thursday, the school board voted 5-0 to consolidate four of their five campuses.
Eva Gordon Elementary School will absorb Eva Gordon Lower Elementary and South Pike High School will absorb South Pike Junior High.
One principal will be assigned to each campus to begin the 2015-2016 school year, pending board approval. Two principals are likely to be named assistant principals at the consolidated schools.
Taplin said the move would not result in “a big reduction in force.” But, he did say the board would take a look at faculty facing possible retirement or those the board might have to “move for other reasons.”
Taplin said the consolidation would result in significant savings for the school district.
“This will save the school district up to $1.5 million over five years,” Taplin said.
Both campuses to be absorbed are in close proximity to one another, Taplin noted.
Board president Dr. Luke Lampton said it was the right move for the district.
“We have been considering this option for a while,” Lampton said.
The board also:
• Approved the Adolescent Opportunity Program, a state program at no charge to the school, that could provide South Pike with up to $185,454 in state grant money. Tammy Witherspoon, who has directed the program at other schools in the area, said the AOP would provide space for classroom instruction at the school for high-risk youths.
All youths accepted into the program have been referred by Judge John Price.
The students will meet separately from south pike students.
There will be anywhere from 40 to 60 kids in the program, Withspoon said. Witherspoon will oversee a classroom of approximately 15 youths at a time.
The board agreed to accept recommendations from Dominique Williams with the Mississippi State Department of Health. Williams gave a presentation to the board concerning a state program dedicated to creating a healthy school environment that includes increasing nutrition, physical activity and academic achievement of students.
As part of the program, south pike will need to develop a school health advisory council, set up a referral system and track policy adoption.
The school is eligible to sign up for $15,000 in grants per year in the program, although the deadline for the 2014-2015 year passed in August, Williams noted.
In personnel news, the board voted to hire Bonnie Granger as a consultant to assist Rochelle Collins with her transition as Federal Program Director. Granger will be hired for up to 12 days at an hourly rate of $115.
