Several teachers were honored for their work during the 2017-2018 school year during the Pearl River County District School Board of Trustees meeting on Monday.

Serina Gray was named the high school’s Teacher of the Year. Candace Pierce was named the middle school’s Teacher of the Year. Jeanette Bisesi was named the upper elementary’s Teacher of the Year. Rebecca Graham was the lower elementary’s Teacher of the Year and the overall PRC District teacher of the year.

In addition, Mike Posey was given the title of Director of the Year, while Sherra Allen was given the title of Administrator of the Year.

After certificates were given out, Superintendent Alan Lumpkin gave a short report and announced that there would be several events during Teacher Appreciation Week. During the week, the District will provide lunches to school staff members and teachers to thank them for their hard work. A lunch will be held at the McNeill campus at 10 a.m. on May 10, and a lunch will be held at the Carriere campus at 10 a.m. on May 11.

After Lumpkin spoke, Student Board Representative Doc Herrin announced several end-of-the year activities in the schools around the District. High school graduation will be May 25.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet that I’m graduating in two weeks,” Herrin said.

Lumpkin commended Herrin on a job well done as student representative, and said it will be hard to find someone to fill his shoes.

“You’ve done an outstanding job this year representing the student body on our School Board,” Lumpkin said.

After Herrin’s report, the Board approved the consent agenda.

A new security system is being considered throughout the District. During the meeting, Brian Coe and Ricky Coe came before the Board to present a new door and window protection system called “Intru-door” that they invented after the Florida shooting.

The system features a sturdy metal sheet that can be moved in front of a door’s window to prevent an intruder from smashing the glass, as well as a heavy-duty metal bar, which can be secured across the door to prevent entry.

While the security features were not included in the original year’s budget, the possibility of Section 16 funds being used toward the project was discussed by the Board.

Board member Jeremy Weir expressed concern that while this would be good for the junior high and high school, they would not work in the elementary schools, since the elementary school doors have windows along the sides of the doors. He said he was concerned that the system would protect junior and high school students while the younger students were not.

Despite Weir’s concerns, Lumpkin said he believed that they should not put the installation on hold. He said it would be better to have immediate protection for some, instead of protection for no one.

Bond Committee student Chair member Gage McClinton said that having the security system installed would make him feel more secure.

“That right there would make me feel a whole lot safer with an active shooter going down the hall,” McClinton said.

It was estimated that approximately 250 features would need to be installed, but since an exact number and quote had not been decided, a motion was made to table the matter until the next meeting.

A motion was approved by the Board to make Shelly Dill PRCSD Student Services Teacher Assistant for the 2018-2019 school year. Board member Rodney Dyess recused himself from the vote.

Another motion was approved to make Traci Weir the PRCES Records Clerk for the 2018-2019 school year. Weir recused himself from the vote.

Finally, a motion was approved to make Rachel Mattern a PRCES Teacher Assistant for the 2018-2019 school year. Board President Elaine Voss recused herself.

A motion was made to approve the conversion of the Agricultural Mechanics program to welding with none opposed.