By BECKY CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@
cordeledispatch.com

CORDELE — This week is Board of Education week. In recognition of their service to the students and staff of the Crisp County School system Superintendent Dr. David Mims presented each board member with a variety of bags filled with treats from the central office and schools around the district.
Each board member said they were appreciative of the recognition. Chairman Scott Forehand thanked the central office for their support of the board and asked that Dr. Mims relay their gratitude to the schools.
On their consent agenda the board approved the following items;
• Minutes from a February 4 work session and both the regular meeting and executive session from February 9 meeting.
• A Title 50 resolution.
• Cafeteria Plan Resolution.
Dr. Mims presented the board with a request to approve the replacement of Backflow Preventers at Crisp County Middle School. This is required on the federal level. Dr. Mims explained the cost would be just over $11,000 but if not taken care of the district could be fined as much as $100,000. The board unanimously voted to move forward and have the work done.
During their regular meeting in February, board members voted to declare Blackshear Trail Elementary School as surplus. Forehand informed the board he had been in contact with several governmental agencies but unfortunately has not seen much interest in the building. Forehand proposed the board advertise to accept sealed bids for the school. He informed the board the matter would be advertised in the legal organ (Cordele Dispatch) as well as surrounding publications in the hope of generating a greater response.
He said if at any time a governmental agency approached with an interest in the building it could be taken off market. The board agreed that they will accept sealed bids to be opened at 1 p.m. on May 4. Forehand reminded the board they can reject any and all bids if they so choose.
He said anyone with interest in the building should contact him at the central office (229)276-3400 or Superintendent Mims at dmims@crispschools.org.
The board also approved to move forward with the fixing the soccer field behind the tennis courts at Crisp County High School for an amount of $23,300 to be completed by Landscape Associates.
During board member comments, member Charles Kerr suggested that the board look into employing more counselors in the schools but also said there was a need for more minority counselors and administrators because young black students did not have many role models.