[02/16/01] A 22-year veteran teacher asked Vicksburg Warren School District trustees Thursday night to consider returning high schools to a traditional seven-period daily schedule.

Betsy Selby, an English teacher at Vicksburg High School, said the block schedule, which both high schools now use, “exhausts and frustrates teachers who care, and it encourages laziness and procrastination.”

Under the block schedule, students are enrolled in eight courses that meet every other day. Some students are finished with their classes as early as 11 a.m. on certain days. Selby said many students arrive for class unprepared because the schedule gives them an excuse not to do homework or study. She added that many educators in the district share her opinion about the block schedule.

“We need a thorough proof of opinion,” trustee Chad Barrett told Selby.

Superintendent Donald Oakes said Friday morning he doesn’t expect the block schedule to be changed soon and he would like for a teacher who supports the block program to speak at next month’s board meeting.

“It is a complex thing that’s been hashed out for years,” he said. Warren Central changed to the block arrangement about six years ago and Vicksburg High followed. Blocking allows students to take more courses. “There are some ramifications to switching back to the seven-period day,” Oakes said.

On a separate issue, Oakes told trustees he still does not know what state education budget cuts will mean for the district this year or next.

“I don’t know if we can tell you right now because there is so much happening in the Legislature,” he told trustees. “When we start building the budget this year for next year, we’re going to have to be real careful.”

Oakes said it has been difficult to predict the financial future of the district because budget adjustments came so late in the year. However, if the district receives less funds next year, he said, “we can deal with it because we will know up front.”

Oakes said he hopes programs will not have to be cut, and he is reluctant to make any predictions at this point. However, he said he is urging the district to use discretion when making purchases.

“It changes so much,” he said. “How do you plan specifics?”

Because state income has been less than projected, rounds of cuts have been announced. Included have been dollars expected for the Education Enhancement Fund, which is used for textbooks, transportation operations, instructional materials and classroom supplies, assistant teachers, health insurance and additional support service funds.

The 9,200-student district planned to spend $53.2 million this year, of which $3,081,045 was to be EEF money. When the state check came, it was $433,000 less than expected. More than half of the district’s budget comes from state and federal funds; the local share is $19 million.

Board President Zelmarine Murphy said she and trustees would like to meet with local legislators “so they will understand just where we are. We just want to look them in the eye and express our concerns,” she said.

Trustees also:

Congratulated Vicksburg High’s girls’ soccer team for becoming the Mississippi Class 5-A State Champions. Coach Kevin Manton and seniors Courtney Chapman and Kim Griffin represented the team at the meeting.

Congratulated Manton for being named the 2000 National Federation of State High School Associations South Regional Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.

Changed next month’s board meeting from March 15, which is during spring break, to March 29.

Raised the expense reimbursement for mileage from 32.5 cents per mile to 34.5 cents per mile. The new rate will take effect March 1.

Recommended the retention of several employees, including administrators, principals, teachers, assistants, substitutes, and child nutrition and transportation positions; and agreed to release three employees from their contracts.

Approved a high bid of $111,700 from Copiah Forest Products for the purchase of timber on Section 16 land in Bovina.

Accepted a laser printer donated to Warren Central High School by Taylor Publishing Company. The new printer is valued at $440.94

Accepted two donations for Sherman Avenue playground equipment, $10,000 from the school’s Parent Teacher Association and $1,000 from Rick Grau.

Accepted a $4,840 donation to Vicksburg Junior High from the school’s PTA.

Accepted a $500 donation to Redwood Elementary from Bell South Communications Inc. to purchase cameras and guided tours for the GATES class.

Accepted a $2,000 donation to South Park Elementary from Citigroup Foundation for the construction of a Math-Science Lab Store, where students will be rewarded for good behavior with play money to spend at the store.

Approved out-of-state travel for Tammy Burris to Washington, D.C. March 5-9. Burris has been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. All expenses will be paid by the National Science Foundation, and Burris will receive $7,500 from the foundation.

Received the Viking Valor Award from Warren Central High School Beta Club. The award was presented to trustees by WCHS Beta Club President Margie Heltzel in honor of School Board Member Recognition Week, which is Feb. 19-23.