The Columbia School District Board of Trustees and other visitors had the chance to inspect renovations to Jefferson Middle School as the school played host to last Thursday’s meeting.
Renovations were part of the $10 million bond issue project passed in 2016. Work began earlier this year on major renovations at all of the district buildings.
To welcome the Board and guests, Jefferson Middle School Student Council representatives gave tours and led the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the meeting. The JMS Chorus sang the National Anthem. The Board held its meeting in the school’s library.
At JMS, visitors had the chance to see a freshly redone entry way, complete with new office, rebuilt bleachers in the school’s gymnasium, complete restroom overhauls and more.
Superintendent Jason Harris said the Board’s next meeting would be held at Columbia Primary School and invited the public to attend the Oct. 12 meeting. Visitors will have a chance to tour the renovations at 5 p.m. before the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
During the meeting, the Board heard updates on the projects.
“As you can see from the building here, things are beginning to wrap up,” Harris said. “It’s pretty much everywhere except the high school. The elementary and primary schools are pretty much on schedule. The biggest issue at the elementary school has probably been the weather. Barring more rain, everything there will be graded next week. The kitchens are all coming together. At the high school, the work is progressing. They are a little behind because it rained about every day and they could not get block laid. They’ve got one wall up and they are about ready to pour the concrete for the mezzanine for the auditorium. All in all, it’s coming together.”
Harris also mentioned the purchase of properties along Mary Street, across from Columbia Elementary School. Houses on the properties will be razed to make way for parking.
“We should be closing on those this week,” he said. “I’m asking for you to approve us seeking bids for the work.”
In other business, the Board:
• Recognized Columbia High School students who scored the highest score on their State test during the 2016-2017 school year received certificates of achievement.
• Recognized Columbia Elementary School Interventionist Abigail Arnold published her first book “From a Whisper to a Roar” (A copy of her book was donated to each school library.);
And recognized Columbia Primary School Art Teacher Phyllis Smith whose students showed some of their art work.
• Received the monthly financial status report.
• Heard a report from Principal Sheila Burbridge on ACT scores and Dual Credit/AP enrollment at Columbia High School.
• Received a report from Renea Rayborn, director of special services, on dyslexia screening.
• Heard a report from Loren Monk, transportation director, on the number of bus routes, drivers, and approximate miles traveled each day.
• Approved a change order to the 2016 Bond Issue for additional storage shelving in the band hall addition at Columbia High School.
• Approved the Property Use Agreement between the Columbia School District and the City of Columbia.
• Received monthly reports on transportation repairs/expenses and the use of school buses for special events.
• Gave second approval of job description for Professional Development Specialist.
• Accepted a donation of a defibrillator from the Kiwanis Club.
• Accepted grants awarded to Emily Rayborn and Sarah Robinson, media specialist, by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to purchase e-books for the Columbia High School and Jefferson Middle School libraries.
• Accepted a donation from the Exxon Mobil Foundation given in honor of Edward Hough for his volunteer work at Columbia Primary School.
• Granted authorization for the Junior Auxiliary of Columbia to place a Little Free Library on the Columbia Primary School campus.
• Approved requests for authorization to dispose of equipment that is beyond repair.
• Approved requests for permission to conduct numerous fundraiser activities.
• Granted the Columbia High School Spanish Class/Club permission to pursue an Education First Tour of Costa Rica during the 2018 summer.
• Approved the 2017-2018 Instructional Management Plan.
• Accepted the bid submitted by Y & S Technologies for classroom Chromebooks for kindergarten through fifth grades.
• Granted permission for the Jefferson Middle School Challenge students along with students who maintain good grades/behavior and chaperones to travel out-of-state to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., April 20-22, 2018, and to tour Washington, D.C., May 21-27, 2018.
• Approved the MHS Mobile Dental memorandum of understanding to provide students dental health services and follow-up screenings.
• Approved the hospital services agreement with Wesley Health Systems, LLC (dba Merit Health Wesley) for providing occupational and physical therapy Oct. 1, 2017 through Sept. 30, 2018.
• Approved student transfer requests from Lamar County School District and Walthall County School District.
• Approved the recommendation to revise the 2017-18 District Salary Handbook to include a miscellaneous salary for an athletic event ticket seller at $50 per game.
• Approved the payment of salary supplements in accordance with the School Recognition Program and funds appropriated by the Legislature.
• Approved the employment of Joshua Dement as a maintenance worker, Teresa Morrison as a special education teacher assistant at Columbia Primary School, and Louise Brown as a part-time speech/language pathologist to serve eligible private school students on an as-needed basis.
• Heard a report from the Superintendent that included recognition of 2016-17 Superintendent’s Scholars, parent/teacher surveys, appointment of parent and teacher advisory committees.
• Discussed legal and personnel matters in executive session.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Columbia Primary School.
