Good news was reported by Superintendent Greg Paes to the school board on Thursday afternoon.
Paes told the board that reimbursements for upgrades in technology are coming in and have been approved. He specifically mentioned the $299,000 which included equipment for bandwidth for the chromebooks has been approved and are being approved.
Paes expressed his appreciation to the hard work and dedication the staff and faculty have provided during the pandemic. He said they have worked tirelessly and untold hours keeping students prepared.
Paes told the board that 11 of the 60 bus drivers are currently tested positive for Covid 19 or are under quarantine. He said if numbers get any worse it may necessitate changing to virtual learning. However, next week is the last week of the academic year and nine weeks tests are scheduled. Paes said he was prepared to drive if necessary. Paes went on to tell the board it was his intention to resume with the classroom setting that the district is currently operating under in for next semester. That is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the classroom setting with Wednesdays as Virtual learning.
Paes offered his congratulations to Magee for winning state and to Mendenhall for their accomplishments during playoffs. He did go on to say that the number one objective for the district is academics and all else came second. Paes was asked the current enrollment for the school year. He reported there are currently 3,189 this year compared to 3,450 last year. Paes was asked about the 261 difference in student count. He said many of those students are now being homeschooled, some are in Christian schools and others are crossing county lines into different districts.
Danny Cowart, president of the board, suggested that Coach Dyess and coaching staff should receive a proclamation from the board for winning state championship.
Cowart recommended to the board that they should continue agreement with the Bailey Group at no cost to the district regarding the building of a new high school. The site that was tossed around was on the sixteenth section property where Colin was located. It was mentioned there could be a close comparison of cost with Adams County.
Adams just bid the cost of construction for a school of similar costs. The actual cost figure was not mentioned however the board indicated at last meeting they were going to get the information. Stan Bulger, board member said the exact amount is not currently available but initial estimates had construction cost at $235 per square foot and the facility was expected to come in at 100,000 to 110,000 square feet. Bulger said that the construction cost should be lower that what was bid and once they have the Adams information they would have a better picture.
The board agreed to continue working with the Bailey Group regarding school building plans.
It was announced that Deputy Superintendent Debbie Davis will be retiring effective January 29. Mr. Paes along with board member addressed what a valuable asset Mrs. Davis had been to the district as well as her preformance.
It was also mentioned that Daune Fewell, Director of Finance, would be leaving Simpson County School District. Board member Lillie Hardy questioned as to whether this may be the best idea with the county under audit. Conversation indicated that was not an issue.
No plans were mentioned in regard to filling these two key positions on staff.
The board also received approximately $28,000 in contingency funding from the construction of the Magee Fieldhouse.
