Monday night, Poplarville Superintendent Carl Merritt updated the Poplarville School Board about the consolidation with the Lumberton School District.
Under SB2500, the state legislature directed the two school districts to see how they could be consolidated in the near future, Merritt said.
Last week, the Lamar County School Board voted to propose a consolidation with Lumberton, including the areas in Pearl River County, Merritt said.
He told the Board he is meeting with representatives in Jackson this week to get some more information and see what can be done.
“Where this goes, I’m not really sure,” Merritt said.
In other news, the Merritt commended the faculty, staff and other members of the school district for receiving two awards recently.
Merrit said the district was awarded the Mississippi School Board Association Light House Leader award for the 7th year in a row, and was one of 17 districts across the state to receive the distinction.
The District also received the PREPS Involvement Award for its long-term commitment to the program, Merritt said.
The success the district has had with the program are “statistics we can’t manufacture,” he said.
The Board also approved to advertise for three annual contracts for occupational therapy, physical therapy and psychological services.
Merritt said those programs are already in place but the District is required to seek bids on an annual basis.
The Board approved seven resignations, which Merritt said were mostly retirements of those who had worked for the District for many years and “will surely be missed.”
In other news, the Board:
-Approved a review of 2016 audited financial statements.
-Approved to advertise for budget hearing and ad valorem tax notice for June 19.
Before adjourning, the Board entered into executive session to discuss a student matter.
The next Board meeting will be held April 10 at 6 p.m. at the District office.