School board seeks financing for engineering and architectural work

By JIM TALBERT\Staff
TAZEWELL – In hopes of getting a better interest rate, county school board members to re-advertise the request for financing for the first step in the school renovation program.
The board discussed the request for proposals for financing engineering, architectural and legal services at its Jan. 14 meeting. The request was for financing up to $2 million.
Director of Finance Jammie Lester told the board only one bid was received when the first request was made. She asked the board for permission to make a second try in hopes of getting more bids and a better rate.
Board Chairman Mike Dennis suggested contacting some financial institutions directly in addition to advertising. The board voted to accept Lester’s recommendation to reject the one bid received and re-advertise.
[In other business the board:]
*Reorganized for the New Year with Dennis continuing as chairman, Randy Conn as vice chair and the same meeting place and time.
*Designated Christine Kinser as the person to attend meetings in the absence of the superintendent.
*Recognized the winners of the Laws of Life essay contest and heard three of them read their essays.
*Heard from Toni Lawson about the Virginia Math Corp program being used at two middle schools. They also honored Bethany Carr and Linda Allen for their work with the program.
*Recognized members of the Richlands High School Football team for its second place finish in the state.
*Heard from Kinser that Jan. 14-18 was Principals Appreciation Week.
*Held the second reading and approved policy GBN-R.1 procedures for filing an application for employment.
*Held a discussion of the drug abuse awareness programs conducted in county schools with a goal of setting the goals and objectives of board members.
*Approved a request for after school transportation for the after school tutoring program operated by Mountain Kids.
*Held the first reading and approved policy GCBD-R4 terminal pay for unused sick leave on an emergency basis.
*Received a report from Lawson on the dress code for teachers and other employees.
*Heard from Kinser that January is Bullying Awareness month.
*Heard from the Superintendent that the budget advisory committee had held its first meeting and was ready to start working with the school board on the 2008-9 budget.
*Heard from Clara Corell concerning an Internet Safety program being piloted in county schools.
*Voted to change the March meeting a week earlier than the normal meeting date and the May meeting a week later due to schedule conflicts.
*Approved the list of personnel changes as presented by the superintendent.
*Adjourned until Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.