North Pike officials are hoping to enhance safety and security at district athletic events.
Superintendent Jay Smith and high school principal Cedric Collins proposed requiring any bags brought into games by spectators to be see-through.
“A lot of schools are requiring clear bags now,” Collins said.
He said three people were arrested at Brookhaven’s first game of the season having firearms on the campus, and there was a shooting at the Leland-O’Bannon football game.
He also cited shooting incidents at games in Baton Rouge and at an Oklahoma school so far this season.
“We’ll notify other schools about our rules when they’re coming here,” Collins said. “Other schools send their requirements here before every game we go to .”
To give North Pike fans time to learn about the new rules so they can follow them, the rules won’t go unto effect until the Sept. 23 football game against Columbia.
The board also approved paying armed security officers to be present at district sporting events for $25 per hour.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Smith that district and school ratings are due to be released about Sept. 23. He said the district should again have a B rating, with its accreditation standard scores about 20 points from an A on the 1,000-point scale.
• Heard a presentation from Sharon Barrett of the MississippiTobacco Coalition.
• Accepted two of four bids submitted by the lone set of bidders for four 16th Section land tracts after initially rejecting all four bids. The bidders were absent when the bids were considered, and district policy requires bidders to be present in order for bids to be accepted. One of the bidders arrived later in the meeting.
• Approved the purchase of a new bus.
• Contracted for worker’s compensation coverage with LUBA of Baton Rouge for $79,268..
• Approved an agreement for students services with Millcreek School of Meadville.• Rescinded approval of a bbus turnaround that was located on a private road.
• Received the district police handbook for review.
• Renewed the district’s agreement with Southwest Mississippi Community College to play home footbll games at John I. Hurst Stadium.
• Approved out-of-state field trips.
• Accepted donations totaling $850 to the athletic department from state Rep. Sam Mims and the Chad Reed Agency.
