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Hot topic of the Simpson County School Board came at the end of the meeting Thursday, September 13, 2018. Representatives from the City of Magee met before the board to discuss an agreement between the school board and the city of Magee 10 years ago for use of the baseball field at the Sportsplex in Magee.
The City of Magee has been maintaining 14 acres located by the old elementary school that has basketball courts, baseball field and an old football field on the property. The City of Magee would like to purchase the land from the School Board. The Simpson County School Board pays the City of Magee $15,000 per year for the use of the baseball field at the Sportsplex. The City of Magee wants to waive the cost of the use of the Sportsplex facility in exchange for the 14 acres that the school owns. The City of Magee waived the $15,000 payment during the building of the Magee Elementary to help offset some expenses occurred while building the school.
According to Mayor Dale Berry, the cost of operating the baseball field at the Sportsplex runs approximately $12,014.69 per year for utilities and maintenance. The estimate was broken down as power bill $5243.39, Water- $2400.00, Top Dressing for field – $2300.00, Fuel for mowers – $71.21 and Miscellaneous repairs $200.00 for a total of $12,014.68. The cost of operation was given to the school board with the break down. Park Director David Dunn expressed to the school board “the city does not want to lose the high school using the facility.” The City of Magee and the School Board want to find a common ground that will work for all parties involved. Dunn also commented that Coach Eubanks does an excellent job maintaining the field. Superintendent, Greg Paes, feels the school district should not have to pay for the use of the facility anymore. Mr. Paes noted the school district had just given the City of Magee a school (old elementary) at no cost. A decision was not reached on the purchasing of the property and was tabled until Mayor Berry can meet with his board and see how the Alderman want to move forward with the purchase of the land.
Superintendent, Greg Paes, advised the board that attendance in the district was about the same as the previous year. Magee High School had a growth of 3 students. In ten years, the district has seen a loss of approximately 900 students from and enrollment of 4400/4500 students to 3635 students enrolled today.
Further business covered during meeting was the travel agenda. The following travel was approved. Brenda White requested permission to attend the MS Nurses Association Conference, October 24-26, 2018 in Biloxi, MS. No funding is required. Karen Bryant requested permission to attend the MS Counseling Association Fall Conference, November 5-7, 2018 in Biloxi, MS. Mrs. Bryant’s request is paid with district funds. Leslie May requested permission to attend the MS Counseling Association for Gifted Children, October 3-5, 2018 in Vicksburg, MS.
Mrs. May’s request is paid with district funds. Crystal Brewer requested permission to attend the MS Counseling Association Conference, November 7-9, 2018 in Biloxi, Ms. Mrs. Brewer’s trip is paid with district funds. Misty Hanna requested permission to attend the iReady User Summit, September. The trip is paid with federal funds. Vicki Parker, Amanda Tindall, and Breyanna Rivers requested permission to attend the MSTA Conference, October 28-30, 2018 in Biloxi, Ms. The trip is paid with federal funds. Joe Hanna requested permission to attend the iReady User Summit, September 27, 2018 in Biloxi, Ms. Mr. Hanna’s trip is paid with federal funds. Deia Sanders requested permission to attend the MS Conference for Teaching Mathematics, October 12-13 in Columbus, MS. The trip is paid with federal funds. Keri McRaney, Judy Byrd, Dene Miller and Amy White requested permission to travel to Washington DC with gifted students of Simpson Central, Mendenhall Elementary and Mendenhall Jr. High Schools, March 8-13, 2019. The trip is funded by parents. Leslie May requested permission to travel to Desoto Caverns in Childershurg, AL with gifted students of Magee Elementary School on October 19, 2018. Parents will fund the trip. Dene Miller requested permission to travel to the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in Hammond, LA with gifted students of Mendenhall Elementary on November 15, 2018. The trip is funded by parents. Kim Holloway requested permission to attend the MS Counseling Annual Conference, November 7-9, 2018 in Biloxi, Ms. The trip is funded by federal funds.
The following Human Resources Report was approved. The resignation of Martha Cole as a Magee Middle School coach was approved. The resignation of Michelle Griffith at Magee Middle as a Cafeteria Worker was approved. The resignation of Sarena Mitchell as a SPED teacher was approved. The retirement of Tanya Evans as a secretary-bookkeeper was approved.
Dick Wendt was approved for one year Educator License for Veterans Teacher at Magee High (Math). Pat Eubanks was approved as a long term substitute at Mendenhall Elementary. Douglas King was approved as a cafeteria worker at Magee Middle School. Lance Adams was approved as a cafeteria worker at Magee Elementary. Anna Byerly was approved as a cafeteria worker at Mendenhall Elementary. Oliver White was approved as a substitute bus driver at Magee High School.
The following coaching supplements were approved. Avery Durr was approved as the 7th grade girl’s basketball coach and Eric Thurman was approved as the 8th grade girl’s basketball coach at Magee Middle School.
