The Coahoma County School System board conducted its final meeting of the year, hearing important benchmark data updates from school principals and administrators and dealing with the business of a construction project.
Interim superintendent Irene Richards explained the district has the first benchmark data since the pandemic. All of the Coahoma County schools are working hard to overcome the obstacles imposed by the last two years. She then introduced the principals from the county schools to reveal and explain the new data.
The first speaker was Jonestown Principal Charlotte Artis-Harris. According to the powerpoint presentation, the data explained was the first benchmark data since the pandemic. The school’s performance has raised from an “F” at the time of the pandemic onset to a “D” and continues rising. The short-term goal is to achieve a “C” grade.
The “D” grade was typical for the schools, according to the presentations. However, the data also revealed that the Coahoma County schools were generally raising their scores and climbing closer to the “C” grade level.
The Friars Point Elementary principal, Florence Brown, also said her school was at a “D” grade and is climbing close to the “C” level. She was encouraged by the progress that had been made, especially given the issues arising from the pandemic.
The Lyon Elementary School principal Kandique Birge revealed that the aspiration for a “B” grade has become part of the daily affirmation spoken by Lyons Elementary students. Principal Birge has undertaken to spend time each day in classrooms to see not only what is being taught, but how the students are receiving the daily lessons and learning.
Additional school officials and school administrators explained school performance and curriculum advancement. Reports also revealed that attendance has been lower because of zealous precautions since the pandemic. The school has undertaken an aggressive and highly-structured system to
At Coahoma County Junior High School, the student body will be rewarded when there are 15 consecutive days with no altercations in the schools.
“Animals attack each other; people communicate with each other,” Readus added. “That is one of the important lessons being taught at our school.
In other business:
The board heard from William Mills on the bids received for renovation work on the gymnasium and outdoor classrooms at Coahoma County High School.
Two companies submitted bids, both online and both over a million dollars in excess of what was anticipated. Reasons for this included a less-than-competitive bidding environment, supply issues with materials that drive up costs, and issues with the labor force.
Some component parts of the project, e.g. the bleachers and the HVAC unit, consumed a disproportionate part of the anticipated expenses. Mills suggested that the board consider making changes to the project that could lower the costs.
A motion to reject the bids was made and approved.
A motion for approval to re-advertise after modifying the plan to lower cost was made and approved.
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