Poplarville School District plans for continued closures
Published 7:00 am Wednesday, April 15, 2020
- LIGHT PHYSICAL PRESENCE: From left, Technology Coordinator Jill Melton, Superintendent Konya Miller and CFO Samantha Sandifer talk with the Poplarville Board of Trustees members via phone at the regular Board meeting Monday.
Although few were physically present in the Boardroom, the Poplarville School Board of Trustees’ live stream of its regular meeting Monday night received over 30 views on YouTube.
The Board could not address many of the pressing issues facing school districts Monday, like how to award class credits and handle grade promotion for the rest of the year, because Governor Tate Reeves’ announcement that school closures would continue for the remainder of this school year was not made until Tuesday afternoon. The Board is scheduled to meet again to address those questions on Thursday April 23 at 6 p.m.
The Board approved running a summer feeding program from June 1 to July 30. The District is currently providing free grab and go meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Middle School of Poplarville for children 18 and younger. The Board approval will allow the District to provide lunches through the summer if necessary.
In a separate matter, the Board accepted a $13,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Education. The grant is part of the Agriculture Environmental Science Technology Program and will be used to purchase welding equipment, a plasma cutter and computer equipment for the agriculture classroom.
In other business the Board:
—Approved the 2020-2021 payroll scales. Although the Legislature has not finalized its session, district administrators wanted to approve the pay scales so contracts can be issued, but they may need to be amended later, said Superintendent Konya Miller.
—Approved updating agreement terms with Tyler Technologies/Versatrans. The district is using technology from the company for transportation and the updated terms were to clarify who would be responsible in the instance of a data breech, said Miller.
—Approved an $800 grant from the Dairy Alliance to help purchase a cooler for food service.
—Approved two retirements for the 2021 school year and two resignations for the end of the school year, along with approving personnel recommendations for the 2021 school year.
