By Rupert Howell

School trustees approved a three-mill note for $2.58 million with $1.2 million  of that  being used to purchase 15 new school buses, $780,000 to pay off the current three-mill note and the remaining $600,000 made available for building repairs and other transportation needs.

With the recommendation of both interim superintendent Mike Foster, incoming superintendent Tim Wilder and District Financial Director Suzanne Covington, administrators explained that by paying off the current note, the district would receive a lower interest rate on the $780,000 owed.
The 3-mill note was made available to school districts by the Mississippi Legislature several years back for exclusive purpose of buildings and buses.

South Panola in the past few years has kept its bus fleet updated by buying low mileage late model used buses but has gotten behind during several years of cutbacks. The new buses’ approximate price is $80,000 each. South Panola’s fleet averages 65 buses. The note replaces an existing note.

Trustees also met new high school principal Roy Ballentine who will take the reins officially July 1, but has already been busy recommending teacher hires for the upcoming school year.
Ballentine told trustees, “We should be completely staffed by the end of the month.”

He also said, “I’m very excited to be a part of it (South Panola). I’m looking for a championship school all the way around with a lot of great help.”

Interim superintendent Foster told trustees that  Ballentine had been “very well received,” during the last teacher meeting prior to the end of past school year when he was introduced.

Also attending Tuesday’s meeting with sleeves rolled up was assistant superintendent Charles Beene whose job also does not officially begin until July 1. Beene is a former Batesville Junior High School Principal.

Board members went into executive session twice during Tuesday’s meeting to discuss lawsuit strategy and a personnel matter, both subjects covered under open meetings’ laws.

Attorney Colmon Mitchell reported that the board authorized him to communicate with the school’s insurance company’s legal representation about their discussion. In the personnel matter, no action was taken.

Mitchell also presented a letter to trustees asking that his firm’s, Smith Phillips and Mitchell, fees be increased from $85 an hour to $150 for non-litigtion matters. Mitchell’s letter stated that his firm had received the same amount as the previous firm was getting since it began representing the school 13 years ago. The firm also receives a $400 monthly retainer fee.

Trustee Buddy Gray made a motion to take the request under advisement which passed unanimously.

Trustees are having their 2013-14 School Year budget hearing today at noon at the Parent Center on College Street in Batesville.