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Gary C Bailey with Bailey Education Group, LLC met before the board Thursday, April 11, 2019 to discuss procedures and options to consider consolidation of the county schools. Bailey Education Group, if hired, would gather assessments and assist the district in the entire planning of the consolidation process. The group would conduct multiple community listening sessions, meet with principals and faculty, and organization planning needs. Board work session, discussing facility and organization planning issues would be observed. The group would conduct central office, superintendent, and leadership meetings. The studies would provide cost projections for long-range plan of existing facility and/or consolidation. The assessment would cost the county $22,000.00.
Mr. Robert Sanders, filling in for Superintendent Greg Paes, and the Simpson County School Board recognized Ms. Phyllis Smith, parent from Magee Middle School, for being chosen as District Parent of the Year.
Jeffery Walker, Maintenance and Transportation Director, presented information gathered concerning the baseball field which the City of Mendenhall owns. The field is currently used by Mendenhall Jr. High and High School. Mendenhall’s Mayor Todd Booth was willing to do what was affordable for the city. But, due to substantial funds needed, the city would not be able to address the issues at the current baseball field. Mr. Walker met with sub contractors just to get an idea of cost to build a baseball and softball field for Mendenhall. The rough estimate would run approximately $750,000. If approved by the board, the location of the field would be where the bus barn is presently located. The district would move the bus barn to Magee. The board took this information under advisement and in a 4-1 vote with Stan Bulger opposing asked Mr. Walker to obtain bids for the actual cost of the fields.
The board proudly mentioned the Archery teams from Simpson County for winning State Championships. Simpson Central Elementary and Jr. High won State along with Mendenhall High School. Mendenhall Elementary and Jr. High placed 3rd.
Mr. Donnie Caughman, with the Simpson County Development Foundation, met before the board asking permission to market 16-section land located south of Magee. The area has rail access. Caughman would like to market the land to companies seeking the need for rail. The board approved Caughman to market the area to any potential customers.
The board approved $100 donation from Pilgrim Rest M.B. Church for unpaid meal balances.
The following travel agenda was approved. Jill Zattoni requested permission to attend the MS School Nurse Association Annual Conference and Executive Board Meeting. The conference is paid for with district funds and is scheduled for June 5-7, 2019 in Vicksburg. Greg Pages requested permission to attend Summer MASS Conference for Superintendents July 7-12 in Biloxi, Ms. The conference is paid for with district funds. Debbie Davis, Misty Hanna, Terrell Luckey, Jeanie Pigg and Robert Sanders requested permission to attend Summer MASS conference for Alliance members, July 9-12, 2019 in Biloxi, MS. The conference is paid for with district and federal funds. Kitzmet Craft and Magee Middle School cheerleaders requested permission to travel to the University of Southern Mississippi to attend UCA Cheer Camp, May 30-June 2, 2019. Parents and fundraisers pay for the Camp. Kim Holloway request permission to attend the 6th Annual One Loud Voice – A Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach to Child Abuse, April 15-17, 2019 in Biloxi, Ms. The trip is paid for with federal funds. Jeanie Pitt and Veronica Magee requested permission to attend the METIS Conference, July 16-19, 2019 in Biloxi. The conference is paid for with federal funds. Patrice Williams and Brenda White requested permission to travel with Simpson County Technical students to the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium in New Orleans, LA on May 15, 2019. Parents and students are funding the trip. Jeffery Walker and Brad Smith requested permission to travel to Louisville, KY for the National Archery Tournament, May 10-12, 2019. The tournament is paid for with Archery funds.
With no further business, the meeting went into executive session to discuss student discipline and a personnel issue.
