By Ginger Schmidt

Lifestyles Editor

Carriere – The Pearl River County School District board of trustees held a meeting on Thursday to discuss several issues involving 16th section land.

Without discussion, the board approved the resolution adjudicating that the publication and posting of the Notice of Intent to Sell 16th section land for industrial development was carried out as required by law and that no petition requesting an election on the question of the sale has been filed.

When asked to clarify the matter, Dennis Penton, Superintendent of Education, said that the project is currently on hold but the board is moving forward on their end in case the issue is picked back up at a later date. He also said that the sale of the land to a biofuels company was initially considered to attract industry to the district.

In another 16th section land matter, a representative of Salem Landmark Missionary Baptist Church was in attendance to request permission to build a pastoral home behind the existing church building.

In a discussion following the request, board member Sherwin Taylor asked if there wasn’t already a building for that purpose on the property. Penton said that a small travel trailer was currently located on the property to serve in that capacity and that a permanent structure did not already exist.

Taylor then asked if the land would have to be reclassified as residential. It was determined that the building was part of the church property and would only be used for church purposes. The board approved the request.

During the superintendent’s report, Penton requested consent from the board for a trip to Parris Island, S.C., for an educator’s workshop with the Marine Corp. The all inclusive trip, furnished by the Corp, is scheduled for March 23-27. Penton said the only reason he was asking so far in advance was because there was paperwork that needed to filled out and returned. The board approved the trip.

The report included dates of a few upcoming school functions and events: The high school and middle school will have their chorus concert at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 12 in the McNeill Auditorium; The middle school band concert is 7 p.m., Dec. 9 in the campus cafeteria; the upper elementary fifth grade Christmas choir concert is at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 16 in the McNeill Auditorium and the annual board inspection of all the campuses in the district will start at 8 a.m., Dec. 16 in the Central office.

In other matters, the board:

— Approved an overnight field trip, Dec. 18-20, to Ft. Payne, Ala., for the Wills Valley Shootout Basketball Tournament.

— Discussed and approved the two locations submitted by the high school for the 2008-2009 Senior Prom.

— Approved financial matters.

— Approved the Reflect Tech, Inc., payment application #3 for work on the band hall renovations.

— Approved adopting the 403(b) plan.

— Approved the amended payroll procedure policy.

— Approved personnel matters.

— Approved amendments to several federal programs.

— Approved private contracts for the transportation of exceptional children.

— Approved several different donations from various sources.

— Approved a request by Ginny Downs to attend an out-of-state workshop in Baton Rouge, La., on Dec. 15 for behavior strategies.

— Approved a request from the Office of Student Services to use the St. Michaels cafeteria for a Christmas party for self-contained special needs students on Dec. 15, and an employee Christmas party that evening at St. Michaels.

— Approved a request for repair/maintenance of a school bus turnaround at 12 Sue Drive.

The board adjourned for executive session. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 8 at the board office.