Members of the Poplarville School Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of fellow Board member Kelton Smith during Monday’s meeting.

Smith submitted his resignation due to his interest in seeking a business opportunity, said Superintendent Carl Merritt.

After accepting that resignation, the Board was going to take the next matter on the agenda up, swearing in Smith’s replacement, but that person did not make an appearance at the meeting. Merritt said the replacement was appointed by the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors.

During the Nov. 6 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Jill Blossman Smith was appointed to take Kelton Smith’s place, according to previous coverage.

Scott Necaise addressed the Board about upcoming lighting enhancements at District campuses to be completed by Mississippi Power Company. The upgrades include installation of LED lighting at the High School parking lot, and extra LED lighting at the Poplarville Upper Elementary exit gates.

The Board approved a motion to no longer offer slow pitch softball at the high school and replace it with volleyball. Athletic Director Jonathan Ray said the change was made for several reasons. He said that since other schools in the region no longer offer slow pitch softball, there are less and less teams to play, which forces the Hornets to have to travel further for away games.

Additionally, students were polled and expressed more interest in a volleyball team than keeping slow pitch softball. Ray said that PRCC will soon add volleyball to its athletics offerings, allowing students at the high school to potentially receive volleyball scholarships.

The change will take effect starting in the fall of 2019.

The Board adjourned until Nov. 30, when a special call meeting will be held to swear in the newly appointed member. Merritt said a time for that meeting will be announced at a later date.