Superintendent Dennis Penton asked the Pearl River County School District school board Tuesday night for a decision about going to the modified four by two block schedule.

“With the new state tests coming online this year, the four by four block schedule presents a challenge. It does not meet the broad spectrum of students who need help… We feel the four by two schedule gives an advantage over the four by four… It adapts classes to the students,” Penton said.

Penton said the reason a decision is needed now is because administration needs to go ahead with the scheduling and budgeting for the next school year.

“If we stay with the four by four and add remedial classes, we will need more teahcers than if we go with the four by two and add those same remedial classes,” Penton said.

The board voted unanimously to go with the four by two modified block schedule, with Byron Stockstill absent from the meeting.

Penton also asked for a pledge from the school board to pay for an Allied Health course if the school is unable to obtain state funding.

“The Allied Health program is on the cutting edge of vocational technology and prepares students for jobs in a high-paying field. It will also get non-traditional students in the vocational program. It seems to bring non-traditional students more easily than another vocational program would… It will be a good elective,” Penton said.

PRC High School assistant principal and vocational director Raymond Spiers said the school should receive a decision on state funding for the program some time in April.

The board voted unanimously to pledge support for the program in the event of the lack of state funding.

Athletic director and assistant principal Douglas Smith presented the board with a proposal from Quest Rehabilitation in Wiggins. Smith said the center is proposing to provide the school with a full-time athletic trainer to be available to the school for all contact sports. The proposal is at no cost to the school other than medical materials and supplies and transportation for the trainer to and from sporting events. Quest also will provide the school with additional taping tables, examination tables and ice machines, Smith said.

“You might wonder how they provide this for free. They refer any student who receives an injury to Southern Bone and Joint Clinic in Hattiesburg. Once the student heals, if rehabilitation is needed, they are referred back to Quest, who takes most insurances,” Smith said.

Penton said he had spoken with the superintendent of Stone County schools, who highly recommended the program.

The board voted unanimously to accept the proposal from Quest Rehab.

Officers of the board elected at Tuesday’s meeting are Michelle Boyd, president; Margie Creel, secretary, and Jeffrey Jones, vice-president.

In other business, the board:

— Approved amendments to cheer and dance constitutions.

— Approved amendmen to the Assistant Teacher Policy.

— Approved addendum to the Fixed Asset Accountability plan.

— Approved personnel matters.

— Approved financial matters.