TYLERTOWN — No Tylertown High School students have to pay for lunch at school this year.
District nutrition manager Danielle Prince told school board members July 31 that the school qualified for 100 percent free lunch status this school year.
The high school joins Tylertown elementary and primary schools and Dexter Elementary School in 100 percent free lunch status.
Salem Attendance Center is now the only school in the district that does not qualify for the 100 percent free lunch status, but individual students at Salem can still qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
Prince also told school board members that her department had changed menus in an effort in increase participation in the lunch program.
The lowest level of participation was at THS, she said.
In other business, the board amended a policy governing purchases for federal programs.
Board attorney Conrad Mord noted that state law now requires electronic reverse auctions to be used for purchases over $50,000, but the policy made no mention of the process.
District business manager Marcy Hartzog said the district’s auditor had provided language for the policy last year, but it had not been updated.
Board members considered postoning action on the policy, but federal programs coordinator Andy Brock, reached by phone, said his department had purchases that needed to be made soon, and the policy needed to be in place.
The board adopted an amended policy with language on the reverse auctions provided by Mord.
Board members did delay action on a coaching supplement for Allen Dyess.
Dyess, the principal at Dexter, has also been serving as the school’s archery coach. Board member Bobbie Lewis questioned whether Dyess could serve both roles under state standards.
“He’s been coach since they’ve had archery,” board member Deloris Breland said.
Superintendent Wade Carney said there are restrictions on principals serving in other roles, and he would check to see whether Dyess qualifies to serve as a coach and receive a supplement.
In other business, the board:
• Certified the budget for the current year for the board of supervisors, and approved the ad valorem tax request for the year.
• Approved preparation of the end-of-year financial statement by Kimberly Alford.
• Approved school bus turnarounds.
• Discussed student transfers and resignations of certified personnel in executive session.
