Drainage at the boy’s baseball field on Union School Road needs improvement, so the Picayune Separate Municipal School District Board of Trustees is gathering information.

Lynn Greer, of Landry and Lewis Architects, provided a presentation to the board at Tuesday’s board meeting, which gave long term and short term solutions to the problem.

Greer informed the board that the field is flat, which prevents water from draining off the field. Additionally, some existing drainage features are in need of maintenance and repair.

In the short term, the board could authorize some work to clean out and improve the existing ditches so they drain better towards Central Avenue. The work would also involve cutting out the culvert under Central Avenue and lowering it so the water drains better. Greer also suggested installing two additional culverts at the same location to further help with drainage.

That work would send water to the exiting drainage ditch, and subsequently to a large canal that leads to the treatment facility on Airport Road.

“If we can’t take it anywhere we’re going to be no better than we are now,” Greer said.

However, Greer said the board would most likely have to check with city of Picayune officials before doing any of that work.

A long-term solution would involve digging 18 inches deep into the outfield before installing a series of flat perforated pipe covered with the proper soil before covering the system with either grass sprigs or sod. However contractors would be unable to provide a guarantee for the sod to take root, and using sprigs would require 70 days of warm weather to create a viable playing surface.

Ultimately, Greer suggested the board work to get all of their ducks in a row and aim to have the long-term project conducted next summer, but attempt to perform the short-term work now.

As an alternative, Greer said the board could consider building a retention pond on site, but that option would create a safety hazard, which would require installation of a fence.

The board took Greer’s presentation under advisement.

In another matter, board member Frank Feeley asked why the district was experiencing a high turnover rate in the custodial department.

Assistant superintendent Brent Harrell said the district has been dealing with the problem since Hurricane Katrina. In response, the district has increased compensation for the position. However, the issue remains.

Electric bills within the district are still too high for some board members.

Finance Director Lisa Penton said the district implemented some changes in the past, such as requiring all appliances brought in by teachers to be Energy STAR complaint. So far the move has saved the district about $100,000 a year in electricity costs, Penton said. Feeley suggested bringing in a Mississippi Power specialist to advise them on ways to cut their electricity costs even more.

The next board meeting is scheduled for July 22, at noon.