The Picayune School District Board of Trustees approved a motion Tuesday to combine two positions under the Early Head Start program.

Dr. Pamela Thomas, director of the program, said the move aimed to combine two job descriptions that had a number of similarities. Through the termination of the program’s child care supervisor, Thomas was able to implement that person’s responsibilities of ensuring curriculum standards are met with those of the program’s mentor coach.

Now, that employee will be tasked with ensuring the curriculum is being followed as part of state requirements, and be able to provide the coaching necessary to meet that goal.

The Board approved a motion to combine those positions, with an increase of pay to that employee of $5,000.

In a separate matter, the Board approved a motion to provide supplemental pay increases to a number of teachers at five schools as part of a Mississippi Department of Education program that provided that funding in response to increasing the school’s grade. Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell said the teachers were chosen by a panel of their peers, and includes teachers at West Side, Nicholson and South Side Upper and Lower elementary, as well as the Picayune Memorial High School.

Payments will be made in September.

The reroofing project at the South Side Lower Elementary came in $15,000 under budget, Harrell said. The Board approved a motion to make final payment for that work.

Enrollment in the District’s sports medicine program did not come in as expected. Harrell said the reason is because the program started late. He expects more students to enroll in the program next year.

The Board also approved a motion to apply for a 3D printer grant through MDE. Harrell said if the District is approved for the funding, it will provide $25,000 towards the purchase of a new 3D printer.

The next Board meeting will be Sept. 26 at noon.