Poplarville School Board handles routine matters
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, June 13, 2017
- POLICY READING: Board Vice President Samuel Gentry reviews a new policy regarding restraint and seclusion of students as part of a new state mandate. Photo by Julia Arenstam
Monday night to discuss minor changes to the school district that will be finalized over the summer break.
Assistant Superintendent Konya Miller filled in for Superintendent Carl Merritt, updating the Board on routine matters.
The Board approved a $650 grant to the Career and Technical Education department from the Mississippi Department of Education for the digital media program.
It also approved the continuation of occupational therapy services for the 2017-2018 school year.
In Merritt’s absence, the Board approved nine unnamed resignations, a common occurrence at the end of a school year, Miller said.
The Board also approved hunting and fishing leases on 16th section land.
One new policy was approved Monday night, a restraint and seclusion policy in which a number of school district employees are already trained. The policy gives school staff guidance in how to deal with fights between students or instances of an unruly student.
Miller said the policy was part of a new state mandate and was becoming increasingly necessary in schools.
She also said more educators will be trained to handle those situations under the new policy.
The Board also updated another section of the school board policy regarding students to conform language to state standards and unify policy with the student handbook.
A building that borders Poplarville Lower Elementary purchased by the district last year will be demolished after the Board approved the motion due to a low insurance payout after fire and water damage.
Miller said the insurance payment was only half of what would be needed to sufficiently fix the damage.
More information from Monday’s School Board meeting will be published in Wednesday’s Item.