Newton Municipal School students will be getting an additional nurse through to a grant from the COVID-19 Workforce program.
Based on Dr. Glenda Nickson’s request, the Newton Municipal School Board unanimously approved the acceptance of two grants from the program.
Both grants are fully funded by the program. The first grant will pay the salary of an additional full-time nurse for the school system while a second grant will provide additional salary for the current nurse and supplies. While the new nursing position can only be funded through the grant one year at a time, Nickson told the board that a representative from the Mississippi Department of Education advised that funds should be available for a renewal of the grant for the next two or three years. Nickson also advised the board that the person hired for the second nurse’s position would be advised that employment in the job would be contingent upon renewal of the grant funds each year.
In other business:
• The board rejected all bids for a replacement of the HVAC system in High School Hall B due to bids coming in three times higher than expected.
• The board accepted the bid of Charles and Brian Chaney for a 16th section land hunting permit for $3,061.80. The permit covers 567 acres at 5.40 per acre. The only other bid was by Ken Richardson for $3,033.45 which would be $5.35 per acre.
• In her overview report Nickson and the board reviewed recommended changes in the personnel manual regarding dress code and appropriate use of social media platforms. Rules being discussed included issues regarding the covering of tattoos, piercings and head coverings. The discussion is part of an on-going review process for the personnel manual.
•The installation of tinted windows a Newton Middle School and Career and Technical Education building has been delayed due to a shortage of tinted windows.
•Teachers received $743 in EEF cards for classroom materials and supplies. Nickson said in previous years the amount was about half of this year’s amount.
•Online registration, in its second year, is continuing.
•Orientation for 9th grade today will include the presentation to parents of a goal to have this class be the first to graduate with both a diploma and associate’s degree through dual enrollment programs.
