The Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees approved renegotiation of a proposed lease between the school district and Meridian Speedway — a subsidiary of Kansas City Railroad — during Thursday’s meeting.

On the agenda

Meeting Thursday, trustees of the Vicksburg Warren School District:

• Approved of the Oct. 29 minutes.

• Accepted donations of $200 from Mississippi Music Educators “Mississippi Sings” program to benefit Beechwood Elementary’s Honor Choir and $75 from the Outlets at Vicksburg for Warren Junior’s cheerleading program.

• Approved the financial update.

• Approved amendments to the 2009-2010 budget.

• Approved accounts payable claims dockets for November 2009.

• Approved the following: compensation for extra teaching duties during October 2009; certified personnel recommendations; recommendation for substitutes, mentors and tutors; and classified personnel recommendations.

• Approved out-of-state travel for Warren Central High’s four band directors to attend the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago Dec. 15-19; members of Vicksburg High’s Generation FREE to visit the Aquarium of the Americas, Imax Theater and the French Market in New Orleans Jan. 8; Special Education personnel to attend the 31st LRP National Institute on Legal Issue of Educating Individuals with Disabilities in Orlando May 2-5; transportation and Special Education personnel to attend the National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers in Orlando March 5-10; and Gates students to go to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

• Approved deletions, disposal of surplus items and donations.

Superintendent Dr. James Price said funds from the 10-year lease on the property north of Baldwin Ferry Road, adjacent to the Central Office and Warren Central and Vicksburg junior highs, will go into a general fund, and if fair market value increases, officials can request more funding.

“We use it to pay teachers, pay utility bills — whatever is required. It’s not earmarked for anything special,” said Price.

The previous lease of $1,000 per year was up in 2009, and Briggs Hopson, school board attorney, negotiated an increase to $6,000 per year, which is subject to change every five years under Mississippi law governing management of school-owned lands.

“The old lease was entered into about 20 years ago. So, it’s time for an upward adjustment,” said Hopson.

Meridian Speedway is the name KCS uses for its right of way across middle Mississippi.

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Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com