The Columbia school board accepted a $250,000 grant on April 16 that will finance installation of a synthetic playing surface for the planned new Columbia High School football stadium.
The money is coming through the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which is funded by the NFL Foundation.
“We are at the inception of the project. We applied for the grant some time ago. Our initial attempt was unsuccessful as CSD did not receive the award. The grant process is very competitive, and we are excited to be selected and partner with the National Football League," Superintendent Jason Harris said in an email.
Back in August the district hired James Wier with Wier Boerner Allin Architecture of Jackson to design a new stadium at Walter Payton Field at Gardner Stadium, and at a work session in October Wier presented his initial plans to great reviews by the board.
Harris said the school board is looking other funding options as well. With looking at the multiple different financial options as well as COVID-19, Harris said the timeline for work on the stadium would be early next year.
The stadium would be at the same site as the existing one, which dates to the 1950s.
Also, the district received another grant from the Healthcare Solutions Networks Inc. to provide mental health services to students. The grant pays $50,000 a year for five years for a mental health professional to work with the district.
Harris said not only will this help students who have been out of the school for a length of time but also aid students get back into the routine of school once the buildings are allowed to open up again.
Discussion was held discussing grading for the remainder of the year. Several issues were raised regarding this topic, including how to determine if the student is the one doing the work, what to do if students don't have internet access and what if parents are not following up with their children and teachers.
“There is no right answer to this,” Harris said.
He said both parents and seniors will be receiving surveys regarding prom and graduation, and the board voted to table any further discussion on the matter until the next meeting.
Personnel changes include accepting the resignations of Shawn “Scott” Fitzgerald, Columbia High School teacher/coach; Greg Owen, director of activities; and Jami Owen, Jefferson Middle School teacher.
Hires included child nutrition program workers while school is out include Jennifer Anderson, Tara Barrett, Deana Bates, Amy Dewitt, Tabatha Fortenberry, Deanna James, Toni Johnson, Karissa Kendricks, Linda Lewis, Olivia Lewis, Jaquessa Lowe, Sandra Lowery LaWanda McGill, Felecia Moses, Acquinetta Myers, Shawee Nelson, Wanda Powell, Rachel Robbins, Rhonda Robbins, Sonia Watts and Cathy Wright.
