Picayune Separate Municipal School District Board of Trustees was divided on bank bids discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.
When the topic came up, board member Frank Ford asked to move the matter to executive session. Board Attorney Gerald Patch advised the members that they needed a reason to move a matter to executive session. Since there was not a valid reason, the matter stayed in open session.
District Finance Director Lisa Persick said the matter was discussed at length because a bank representative alleged they were not aware bids were being sought. Persick said the bidding process followed state laws by advertising in the local newspaper. Additionally, she sent emails to the area banks alerting of the bidding process.
Ford felt the district did its due diligence and expressed interest in moving forward with the two bids received. Persick said the last time they sought bids the board received five, which was three years ago. Persick said the bid that was approved came from The First.
Due to the complaint, the board considered rejecting the bids received and advertising for a new round. Ford felt the district should not go out for new bids, making a motion to accept the lowest and best received. The motion passed with only Board Member Frank Feely voting against. Board Member Jimmy Hancock was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
In other business, the board asked about a $6,500 expense as part of the Early Head Start renovation program, which is conducting improvements to day cares participating in the program. The program allows qualifying day cares to offer the same curriculum offered at Early Head Start. Dr. Pamela Thomas, the director of the Picayune Early Head Start, said the expense is to install security doors at the participating day cares to restrict access. As an update to the project, she said it is moving along and as such she does expect to need a phase 3.
The board also approved a motion to renew the security contract with the Picayune Police Department. The contract provides four officers, one each for the high school, junior high, alternative school and Nicholson Elementary. Board Member Lori Blackmer asked why there are not officers at the other elementary schools in the district. Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell said an officer is staged at Nicholson Elementary due to the distance from the rest of the schools.
The next board meeting will be held May 24 at noon.