Summer break and construction projects at Lincoln County schools will soon come to an end.

The Lincoln County School Board met Monday night to discuss updates and changes for the new school year. This was the first mid-month meeting for the board, which recently voted to meet on the third Monday only rather than the first and third Mondays each month.

“We have several ongoing construction projects on campuses that are shaping up nicely,” said Superintendent Mickey Myers. “All projects should be completed before school starts.”

At Loyd Star, there will now be designated entrances and exit points on campus. Mississippi Department of Transportation is constructing barriers on the campus entrance to prevent drivers from pulling in or out of campus from anywhere other than approved spots.

“The way it has been in the past at Loyd Star, you could come on and pull out of the campus at any location onto Hwy. 550. It’s a concern when it’s a busy road and you have inexperienced drivers. The kids’ safety is important to us. It’s a very welcomed change for sure,” Myers said.

Another project nearing completion at Loyd Star is the construction of a new baseball field.

At Bogue Chitto High School, the board approved lowering the ceiling in the hallways of the old Calhoun Gym.

“Last year we were able to refurbish some old classrooms in the Calhoun Gym. The bathrooms in the old gym have been remodeled as well,” Myers said. “The ceiling in the hallway was high and we needed to lower it to have adequate circulation and to be able to regulate the temperature better.”

The board also approved repair to the roof of the testing center at Bogue Chitto High School.

At Enterprise Elementary, the board approved construction of a wall by the office.

“We have the Safe Schools Act and a crisis management plan. At a minimum cost it would require people to report to the office and attain proper authorization to go into the building if necessary,” said Myers.

Other items approved on the agenda:

• Approval of the 2017-2018 Student Handbook

• Approval of the 2017-2018 Employee Handbook

• Approval to advertise to accept bids to remove the old house at Enterprise

• Approval of request from Jeff Richardson of King’s Daughters Medical Center for “10 for 10,” Helping Hands which allows employees of the school district to have the option to donate $10 a month to KDMC.

The Lincoln County School District staff meeting will be Aug. 2 at 8:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Civic Center. Every employee is encouraged to be there. It’s where the school district will outline goals and objectives for the upcoming school year. The upcoming school year begins Aug. 4.

The next scheduled board meeting is Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.