WCSD seeks grant for auditorium

The Webster Progress-Times

A local architectural firm is applying for a historical grant on behalf of the Webster County School District.

The School Board approved a motion Oct. 6 authorizing Belinda Stewart Architects to prepare an application, on behalf of the school district, to renovate the auditorium in the central office building.

Superintendent of Education Jimmy Pittman recommended the board authorize the firm to apply for the grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, according to minutes of that meeting. The grant, if received, will have an 80-20 match.

Additionally on Oct. 6, the board approved the final amended budget for 2008-09. It also recognized Eupora Elementary School student Callie Turner as Webster County Board of Education student of the month for October.

Minutes reflect that the board also approved or accepted these items as part of the consent agenda:

¥ substitute bus drivers.

¥ Amanda Burleson as a substitute cafeteria worker.

¥ Marilyn Brown, Jean Atkins and Amanda Kilpatrick as substitute teachers.

¥ fund-raisers for the Eupora High School Annual Staff.

¥ donations from the East Webster Elementary School Parent Support Group to EWES, Eupora Mini Storage (Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Gladney) to the EHS Athletic Department, Target to EES and Exxon to the Eupora Elementary SHAPE class.

Budget Cuts

On Oct. 15, Pittman told board members that the county school district can expect another round of budget cuts from the state.

Gov. Haley Barbour said earlier this month that more budget cuts are coming in the remaining nine months of the fiscal year to ensure a balanced state budget. He trimmed nearly $172 million, or 2.9 percent, from the $6 billion budget in September because of lagging tax collections. Most of the money was taken from education.

State law says the governor cannot cut any agency's budget by more than 5 percent until every agency's budget has been reduced by that amount.

"It'll get to the point it'll be crippling if it continues," Pittman said, adding later, "We're not wasting money ... We have nowhere to cut."

Other Business

Also on Oct. 15, Timaka James-Jones of Belzoni, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, made a presentation to the board about the 2010 Census. The board approved a motion for the school district to partner with the Census Bureau by helping promote the census.

In a matter tabled from Oct. 6, the board approved a revision to a section of the policy concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The board approved or accepted these consent agenda items:

¥ a cafeteria worker resignation and recommendation.

¥ a substitute cafeteria worker resignation and recommendation.

¥ substitute teacher recommendations.

¥ asset disposals.

¥ a donation.

¥ approval of void old returned checks.

¥ a fund-raiser at Eupora High School.

¥ a coaching supplement for Joey Thompkins, assistant baseball coach at EHS.

The board also heard educational updates from Jack Treloar, federal programs director; Rana Mitchell, curriculum coordinator; Dr. Wanda Porter, special education director; and Heidi Young, business manager.

Scott Hollenhead (District 4) was absent Oct. 6.