The Brookhaven School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a $5 million dollar loan from Regions Bank at a rate of 2.28 percent.

     “That is an excellent rate,” board attorney Robert Allen said.

     The loan is to cover renovations and construction projects that were approved at the July 23 meeting. The projects include new roofing, the addition of air conditioning and other maintenance projects.

     Other finances approved Tuesday were the amount the district needs to request for ad valorem taxes from the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors. Director of finance Susan Cochran said the amount requested has the same millage rate as in years past.

     “For years the district has had a strict commitment to not raise taxes,” she said. “This year we are again asking for an amount to cover operations that is not to exceed 48.46 mills.”

     In other business, interim superintendent Stephanie Henderson proposed that the board allow the sale of an out of use school bus to the city.

     Board member Stan Patrick was curious as to what the city might do with an old school bus. Henderson explained it was for firefighters.

     “They’re going to train the city’s firefighters how to best use the Jaws-of-life on a school bus,” Henderson said. “And when they are done with training, they will take the bus to the scrap yard to sell, and those funds will be returned to the school.”

     She explained that the city board still has to approve the request, but she felt it would be a valuable exchange for both parties.

     “They will learn how to use the Jaws-of-life on a school bus if ever we need it and we will get a return on the metal that is sold to the scrap yard.”