The Choctaw Plaindealer

The last four years have brought many changes to the Choctaw County School district as Dr. Arlene Amos, Choctaw County superintendent, told the Ackerman Rotary club.

"My first expense and first move was to get those (schools) up to par," said Amos.

She wanted and did make changes to each school in the district over the last four years.

Amos said at Weir Attendance Center they made many repairs and added a science lab and a technology lab.

"In the technology lab students can learn more job skills and get hands on experience," said Amos. This lab was named in memory of the late Marion Kelley.

She said at Ackerman Elementary a wing was added to expand classroom space.

"They filled it up as soon as we could get it up," said Amos.

The Career and Technology Center got a new roof and a heating and cooling system and Ackerman High School's Ty Cobb building has had work done to it to stop flooding.

"It has been a lemon and we had to make lemonade," said Amos.

Also, at AHS, Amos said she brought back the Alternative School and added a GED program.

"Now the students don't want to go to the alternative school," said Amos.

French Camp Elementary received a new cafeteria/auditorium. Amos said the students were eating meals in an old house and had to walk outside the house.

"They needed a functioning and safe place. Now they have room to cook, eat and have meetings," said Amos.

After questions from Rotary members, Amos explained the relationship between FCE and French Camp Academy.

FCE teaches pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade and FCA students, if they are in those grades, to attend FCE.

To help fund FCE, the school district receives neglect and delinquent money that is approximately $1 million.

"Choctaw County receives more N&D month than any other school in Mississippi. If you took that away, that school would close. Choctaw County could not justify that much money (to keep FCE open) for 200 kids," said Amos.

The N&D money has to be spent at FCE, but to benefit other schools, FCE receives new items then the other items, are circulated throughout the other schools.

"French Camp receives new computers, because we have to spend the money there, then the one year old computers are sent to one of our other schools," said Amos.

Another one of Amos' additions was the new Transportation Department.

She said the school board and the Board of Supervisors made a deal. The school board gave the supervisors the land where the old bus barn was located in exchange for land where the new Transportation Department is.

"The buses won't fit in the old bus barn. They were doing all the maintenance out in the street," said Amos.

The new Transportation Department houses the bus shop and the school's maintenance department.

"It is a great asset to the county. It has a lift to lift the buses off of the ground to do maintenance work," said Amos.

Also, the school bus fleet has been updated by rotating two buses a year.

The last thing Amos told Rotary was that the school board approved a bid and lease for the Red Hills mine to lease 518 acres of their 16-section land.

Amos is leaving as superintendent to work for and educational consultant firm in Jackson.

Rotary will not have a speaker tomorrow; members will be enjoying a Christmas party. Instead of exchanging presents, each Rotary member is asked to bring items that can be packaged for those in the hospital, nursing home or jail who might not otherwise be remembered this Christmas. Suggested gifts include personal hygiene items, coloring books, crayons, sweat pants, t-shirts, etc. Contact Sr. Alies Therese for any questions on the items.

The Rotary Club meetings are open to individuals interested in learning more about Rotary Club or would like to join the club.

Currently the club operates as a provisional club and will continue to do so until 20 or more members are committed to the club. After securing 20 members the club may then be chartered.

The club meets each Thursday at Pap's Place from noon until 1 p.m.