School Board accepts bid; recognizes students during meeting

The Picayune School District’s Board of Trustees handled several routine matters during Tuesday’s meeting, including accepting bids and approving several projects throughout the district.

After re-advertising the sale of school district vehicles the Board of Trustees had two bids up for approval. One bid was from Frank Egger, of $617.28 for a non-operational 1992 International school bus. The second bid of $3,042 was received from Durham Enterprises for three Dodge vans, a truck and two school buses, including the’92 International. The board approved the second bid from Durham Enterprises.

Another item on the agenda was a request to begin advertising for bids for a new air conditioning system for South Side Lower Elementary. The current units at the school are over 35 years old.

“That’s pretty incredible that maintenance has kept them alive for that long,” Vice-Chairperson Dr. Lori Blackmer said.

South Side Upper’s units were replaced several years ago thanks to a grant from the city of Picayune. Currently the district does have the funds available to replace the units at South Side Lower. The board gave permission to begin advertising for bids for the project.

The Board also recognized a few of the members of the Picayune School District Special Olympics Bowling team, who recently competed in a bowling tournament sponsored by ARC, the Knights of Columbus, and the Picayune Kiwanis Club. The students attended the board meeting to show their ribbons and to show the board pictures from the event. Superintendent Dean Shaw gave both students a high five and congratulated them on their achievements.

Dr. Blackmer also read a letter she received from the Pearl River Community College Choral Groups Director LaDona Tyson, commending the Picayune High School Show Choir on their outstanding work and their professionalism at a recent concert at the college.

“I was so impressed with them and from the moment they got off the bus they demonstrated professionalism. I have to say that is the best I have ever heard from a group from Picayune,” read the letter.

“Nice to hear the good stuff,” Blackmer said of the letter.

The show choir will be performing Christmas songs at the next board meeting, which will be December 12, at noon.