By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Aug. 21, 2001
The Meridian School board voted Monday to buy the Lauderdale County Baptist Association property across from Ross Collins Vocational School for $189,000.
Superintendent Dr. Janet McLin said the property, adjacent to the high school campus, will be used on a short-term basis for driver's education and office space.
The board also approved a Student Code of Conduct to be handed out to all students today and Wednesday. The code explains the Mississippi School Safety Act that became law July 1. Commonly referred to as the "three strikes rule," it allows students to be expelled after they cause their third disruption in one school year.
The booklet also outlines the school district's discipline plan.
The board approved the transfer of $75,000 from fund balance to fund the Math Wings program at West End Elementary School. Math Wings is the mathematics component of the Success For All reading program. The Phil Hardin Foundation was asked to fund the program at West End, but did not approve the grant.
The Math Wings program is being funded by outside sources at Witherspoon and Harris elementaries.
In other business, the board changed the designation of 23 acres of 16th Section land from agriculture to hunting and fishing, after the lease holder decided not to renew the lease when it was reappraised. The Mississippi Forestry Commission will plant timber on the property; the land is part of 260 acres that will be advertised for hunting and fishing leases.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.