Tuesday, the Picayune School District School Board discussed a myriad of regular business items including construction change orders, 16th section matters and grants.
The Board approved a change order for phase II of renovations to the Picayune School District’s Early Head Start facility. The contractor does not need the entire amount outlined in the original contract to finish the job, Picayune School District Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell said. The original contract price was about $271,000 and was changed to $248,139.
The board also approved changes to their 16th section property commercial leases.
Picayune School District Finance Director Lisa Persick said an appraisal is completed every year and lease prices are based on fair market value. By law, the district has to charge at least five percent of fair market value on residential and six percent on commercial properties, Perisck said.
The annual rental rate for commercial property is now $1,056, Harrell said.
In another matter, the board accepted two grants from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation in the amount of $95,000 and $64,000, Harrell said. The first grant will be put toward a pre-kindergarten program and the second will fund a district-wide class for autistic students, Harrell said.
In other action the Board approved:
• A bus turnaround at 122 A Park Drive.
• An agreement between the Picayune School District and De L’Epee Deaf Center Inc. This is a group the district uses to interpret meetings between a parent who is deaf and school officials, Harrell said. The service is funded through special education funds.
• Permission to advertise the sale of walk-in cooler/freezers at Nicholson Elementary and Roseland Park Elementary.
• A new board policy requiring supervisors to conduct an interview with certified personnel who leave or resign, Harrell said. A copy of this policy will be posted on the school’s website today, he added.
The next Board meeting will be held on July 26 at noon.