Flying unmanned aircraft over the Kosciusko School District will now be regulated.
The Kosciusko Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new policy during its meeting Monday night, banning the use of drones on or over district property without prior approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“This is a liability issue for the district and a safety hazard for the children,” Kosciusko superintendent Gina Smith said.
According to the policy, no person shall fly a drone over any of the districts schools or athletic facilities without approval from the FAA. School personnel that receive approval should familiarize themselves with FAA regulations, the policy states.
In other action the board approved a contract with U.S. Lawns for lawn maintenance around the district at a contractual amount of $72,150. Other bids were $166,300 and $285,000.
The district chose to eliminate its lawn maintenance program recently in a cost cutting measure. According to Smith, the district will end up saving approximately $20,000 going in this direction.
In other action the board:
• appointed Macy Wilbanks as an assistant principal at Kosciusko Junior High with a salary increase;
• approved an amendment to Title FY15 funding from salary to supplies;
• approved the districts strategic goals for the 2016-17 school year;
• approved leases for two Section 16 properties at $8 per acre;
• approved emergency certificates for Colby Wollfarth and Kristen Ferguson;
• approved Derrick Huffman as a para professional;
• approved a memorandum of agreement with MS Department of Rehabilitation Services for students with disabilities in transition from secondary school to subsequent environments;
• approved a contractual agreement with Debbie Murphy for federal programs monitoring.
