MPS moves forward
with renovation project

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
July 20, 2004
Meridian School Board members hired two engineering firms Monday to develop plans for a $1.75 million renovation project at nine of the school district's 15 campuses.
The board hired Engineering Plus in Meridian to design a plan to repair drainage problems. The board also hired Engineering Resources Group Inc. in Jackson to develop plans for pipe and roof improvements.
Each firm will be paid 6 percent of the total cost of their specific projects.
The school board action came more than a month after members voted in June to borrow the $1.75 million.
The Meridian Public School District plans to repay the loan in three years using state funds and money generated by a 2.7 percent increase in property taxes.
Archie Scarbrough, the school district's facilities director, said the district plans to repair the roof at Magnolia Middle, Witherspoon Elementary, Oakland Heights Elementary, Poplar Springs Elementary and West End Elementary schools.
He said plumbing repairs are also necessary at Meridian High, Witherspoon Elementary, Kate Griffin Junior High, Marion Park Alternative, Oakland Heights Elementary, Poplar Springs Elementary, West Hills Elementary and Magnolia Middle schools.
Scarbrough said the next step is to accept bids on the work. He hopes the work will begin next summer.
In other business at Monday's school board meeting, Donna Freyaldenhoven, food service director for city schools, said that in June the school district served more than 13,000 free breakfasts and 28,000 free lunches to children under 18.
The summer feeding program is paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.