The Kosciusko School District Board of Trustees took several steps Monday night to create new classrooms, replace old buses and secure land for existing and new sports fields.
Utilizing just over $250,000 in unspent funds, leftover from air conditioning improvements at Upper Elementary, the district discussed funding the building of two new classrooms at the school to alleviate some of the facility overcrowding. There are currently five teachers who do not have their own classrooms.
The funds in question can only be used for capital improvements.
Superintendent Billy Ellzey said the district would be expected to chip in another $25,000 or so to come up with the total estimated cost of $277,000.
Based on a prelminary design, the classrooms will be added to the left side of the existing building when facing its front.
Ellzey said that if approved and all goes according to plan, the new classrooms woyld likely be ready for use at the end of 2018.
The district also voted retire five of its oldest school buses, dating back to 1997. They are taking advantage of a grant opportunity to purchase five new replacement buses at about $60,000 each.
The $60,000 cost is about 35 percent less than the going rate, thanks to the grant.
As part of the grant, the old buses must be taken out of service, meaning the district will maintain 27 buses driving 23 different routes, just as they have been.
While the board approved the purchase, it will not finalize the funding for the project until more information is available, likely at the next meeting in early December.
If ordered, the buses should arrive for use in Kosciusko within about three months.
The board also voted to pay the Attala County Board of Supervisors $70,500 to secure sports field spaces.
The first lot, the current football practice field, is 1.907 acres. It will be purchased for $24,000. Although the district is already using the field, there was concern that if they did not purchase it, it could be sold to another buyer at some point.
The second property, a 9.275-acre space adjoining the current KHS baseball and softball fields, is being purchased for $46,500.
It is thought that at some future time, the district would turn that space into a soccer complex.
