The Choctaw Plaindealer

Cutting down trees at Ackerman High School was one of the many topics of discussion at the June 9 Choctaw County School board meeting.

Donna Nail, superintendent, said Terry Bellew, AHS principal, requested to cut down four trees. The board looked at pictures of the four trees and discussed why each one needed to be removed. All board members didn't like the ideas of cutting the trees down, but Derek Hunt, Beat 1 board member, was adamant about not cutting any of the trees down.

"I don't' want to cut the trees down," said Hunt throughout the discussion. He told the board stories of sitting under the trees while he was in school.

After a long discussion, the board decided to remove the pine tree only.

During the meeting, Mike Hughes, of Weaver Insurance, discussed school property insurance with the board. He said all of the school property was re-evaluated to make sure it is insured for the right amount.

"FEMA said in the next disaster they will only pay what its' worth if the school district is not paying the correct insurance," said Hughes.

The board approved the property insurance premium of $95,000. Hughes said last year the renewal quote was $89,000.

Trying to decide whether or not to build more classrooms at Ackerman Elementary was another discussion.

Some of the board members are not sure if AES needs some of the proposed classrooms. They question if the upcoming classes of students will be as large as the current Pre-K and kindergarten classes. According to enrollment, AES had 581 students last year.

According to Nail, the board did not approve to build the classrooms but did approve in a 4-1 vote to adopt a resolution finding that the resolution on May 12 declaring the necessity of issuing notes for $2,250,000 to pay the costs of the additions at AES and AHS.

Wilson Gammill, Beat 2 board member, voted against it.

Also during the meeting, the board approved a request from a parent for special permission to attend school functions.

In the consent agenda the board approved:

€ Student handbook for the 2008-2009 school year.

€ A three-year interim certificate application for Barbara King and Shaston Coleman.

€ Bus turnarounds for the 2008-2009 school year.

€ Beginning of year orders and items that don't require a purchase order for the 2008-2009 school year.

€ Procurement plan for the school nutrition 2008-2009.

€ Lease from Clyde C. Davis to Veronica Forrest.

€ Lease deed from the heirs of the Alma Alexander estate to Jo Ann Vaughan.

€ Request from Sharon James to take two FCCLA to Orlando, Fla. in July to compete on the National level and for financial support.

€ Resignation of Betsy Oswalt as a kindergarten teacher at AES.

€ Maternity leave for Yassi Talley from Aug. 4-Sept. 12.

€ Application for the GED option program.

€ Various requests from teachers to attend workshops and conferences in June and July.

The board also approved to hire or transfer the following teachers for the Choctaw County School District 2008-2009 school year:

€ Transfer Carrie Smith from After School director to fifth grade teacher at AES.

€ Transfer Jeni Morgan from the gifted teacher position at AES and FCE to second grade teacher at FCE.

€ Transfer Sharon McMinn from WAC to AES.

€ Hire Dana Dempsey as a kindergarten teacher at AES to replace Betsy Oswalt.

€ Hire Kimberly Sims as a special education teacher at WAC.

€ Hire Jason McCuller as a biology, chemistry and physics teacher at WAC, pending biology certification.

€ Hire Shirlianne Stirewalt as Allied Nurse instructor at the Career and Technology Center.

€ Hire Edith Ann Ellington as school nurse for the county.

€ Hire Meri Anne Lawson as a special education assistant at WES.

€ Hire Tiffany Townsel as a special education assistant at WES.

€ Hire James Ballard as a third grade teacher at WES.

The school board approved the financial report and the fixed asset disposal list.

In the financial report, the board approved:

€ Bank bids for the 2008-2009 school year.

€ To purchase a school bus at a cost of $69,985 for the school Transportation Department.

€ Quotes for the renovations for the Allied Health program for a total of $19, 750.92.

€ Summer work for all schools: WAC-renovating auditorium, painting and renovating bathrooms, AHS-working on the old gym, AES-renovating the first and second grade bathrooms and making a storage closet, FCE-installing a cyclone fence and making handicapped ramps, CCC&TC-replacing carpet in classrooms, Alternative school-replacing the central heat and air conditioning.

€ Bread price quotes for food service.

€ The borrowing of money from the 16th section funds to keep federal projects from being deficit in June. Funds will be paid back to 16th section funds in July.

The next Choctaw County School board meeting and budget hearing will be June 30 at 7 p.m. at Central Office.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be July 8 at 7 p.m. at Central Office.