Lincoln County School District Superintendent David Martin discussed employee contracts and 16th section land leases with the school board Tuesday. Most of the evening was spent going over recommendations by school officials concerning staff, supplies and school improvements.

The board approved the following, as well as other requests, as recommended:

• Martin’s recommendations for district personnel
• Assistant Superintendent Richelle Ratcliff’s recommendations for 2022-2023 kindergarten supply lists and calendars for district and 235-day employees, as well as approval of ACT WorkKeys as the sole source provider of online assessments regarding standards for the National Career Readiness Certification
• Finance Director Sam Stewart’s request of disposal of fixed assets, family medical leave for two employees, the issuance of a manual check to the Accident Fund Insurance Company for an additional premium of $11,678, as well as claims dockets and financial reports
• Transportation Director Luke Addison’s request for school bus turnarounds for 2021-2022
• Child Nutrition Director Jeremy Berry’s request for permission to travel overnight to Tupelo March 27-29 to attend a board meeting and conference, and on April 5-7 to attend a board meeting, attend an educational opportunity and proctor an exam
• Special Services Director Heather Singley’s request for SPED contractual services during 2021-2022 from vendors Carolyn Benson, Roy Pittman and Dr. Nonolla Yardani
• The request from Robin Case, CTE director and federal programs coordinator, for out-of-state travel and work-based learning classes in Baton Rouge March 30 for extended classroom experience at Weld Test Laboratory
• Bogue Chitto Principal Scott Merrell’s request for a field trip for the Bogue Chitto Technology Student Association members to travel to the Infinity Science Center in Pearlington, Miss., March 12
• Enterprise Principal Terry Brister’s request for ENT Beta students’ field trip Feb. 20-22 to the Biloxi Beta Convention (following prior verbal approval)
• Loyd Star Principal Dena Ford’s request for tennis fundraisers
• 16th Section Land manager Stan Long and Forester Steven Williams’s requests concerning 16th Section bids, lease payments and timber sales.
• Other personnel additions requested by various principals

Martin reported that in the last week, the district has had only eight positive COVID-19 cases. “Out of 3,200 folks, that’s pretty good,” he said. “Maybe this thing is finally ending.”

He also told the board that school renovations were marching forward, despite setbacks from the weather. The bus barn issue is still mired in budgets and contracts, but is moving along, he said, while the Bogue Chitto gym renovations are underway and the West Lincoln classroom work is ongoing satisfactorily.

Martin said that the old brick building located on the Enterprise school campus that houses the entire fifth grade is not eligible for designation as a Mississippi landmark, per the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, so they’ve decided to put in the necessary windows and doors needed rather than the ones specifically required if it was a historical building. The building will come under historical scrutiny again five years from now, he said.

Martin also noted that February is School Board Appreciation Month and he thanked board members for their dedication and service to the community.

The next board meeting of the LCSD is set for 5:30 p.m. March 22.