Members of the Columbia School District Board of Trustees and the general public had the chance to tour the recently renovated facilities at the Columbia Elementary School.
The tours were part of the Board’s regular monthly meeting. Recently the meetings have been held at each of the schools to allow such tours. Next month’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 will be held at Columbia High School to allow inspection of the projects there. The renovations at each of the schools were all part of a $10 million bond issue passed by voters in 2016.
At CES last Thursday, attendees were also treated to a performance by the school’s choir after Students of the Week led the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Robert White welcomed the crowd to the school.
“I’d like to say thank to all of you who support the bond issue,” White said. “I hope you got a chance to see our renovations and our fifth-grade addition and the other facilities in our District. Thank you all for your support.”
Before the Wildcat Chorale sang, White said that two members had been named to the All-State Choir, Daniel Walls and Olivia Johnson. Columbia Primary School Principal Heather Singley introduced story board winners from her school and Jefferson Middle School Principal Raymond Powell honored the JMS Top 10 for the first nine weeks. Columbia High School Principal Sheila Burbridge recognized subject area and advanced placement teachers.
Superintendent Jason Harris also addressed the Board about the ongoing window warranty replacement program at Columbia High School.
“They should be installed over the Christmas Break,” he said.
In other business, the Board:
• Received monthly reports on transportation repairs and expenses and the use of school buses for special events.
• Accepted Mississippi Power’s Environmental Stewardship Council grant of $1,000 for the “Write it Right, Without Pencils” awarded to CES Teacher Danielle Whittington.
• Approved several fundraisers from various clubs and organizations.
• Approved a request to establish a speech and debate team at Columbia High School.
• Gave first approval of school board policies regarding suicide prevention education in-service training and field trips and excursions.
• Accepted a bid from M.D. Electric LLC for surplus property advertised for sale.
• Authorized the District to enter into contracts with NewPath for maintenance and safety consulting services and the Mississippi School Boards Association for online policy service.
• Approved the resignation of James Harvey as head football coach effective Dec. 19.
• Approved several employment recommendations for the 2017-18 school year; D’Leasha Abram-Arnold to be changed from assistant boys and girls basketball coach at Jefferson Middle School to head girls and boys basketball coach at JMS; Sherry Buckley as a substitute teacher, Mary Carter as a substitute teacher, Lakisha Kelly as a substitute Child Nutrition Program worker and Skyler McCain as a para-professional softball coach for the 2018 fast-pitch softball season pending approval by the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the results of current background check as required by state law.
