Softball Fans Ask To Swap Volleyball For Slow Pitch Softball
Fast Pitch Fans member Roy Vance (right) listens to a softball question from School Board member Dr. Steve Edwards.
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – Supporters of fast pitch softball would like to see a slow pitch program added to the sports lineup at WVHS next year.
Chad Kimzey, President of the Fans of Fast Pitch, told School Board members at their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 19 that there is a group of girls who are interested in playing slow pitch softball.
“Slow pitch softball coincides with volleyball,” he said and added that because of the financial considerations there are very few school that do both.
“We’re not wanting to push slow pitch softball down anyone’s throat if the kids don’t want to do it,” he emphasized and suggested that the girl’s be polled to find out their preference between slow pitch and volleyball. “If volleyball is overwhelmingly supported, then that’s what we want to do,” he said.
Kimzey added that one of the reasons for promoting slow pitch was because it would help the fast pitch program already in place.
Fast Pitch Fans member Roy Vance told the board that there are more 3A schools playing slow pitch softball than participate in volleyball. “We’re playing 4, 5, and 6A schools in volleyball.”
Vance and KImzey also informed the board that the softball team uniforms needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $2000. “I know money is tight,” KImzey said. “If there is a dollar or two that can be found to help us out on that, we’d appreciate it.”
The group is in the planning stages for upcoming fund raisers, including a fish fry and a possible concert for next spring. Most of their funds have gone toward completing the new softball field west of the high school
Among other actions at the Oct. 19 meeting, the School Board:
• Received a handout from Megan Marshall, Food Services Supervisor, regarding serving policies in the schools’ lunchrooms.
The recommendations may be acted upon at the Nov. 1 meeting.
• Passed resolutions regarding three separate financial items: a $500,000 Qualified School Construction Bond, a $400,000 three-mil note, and the refinancing of the District limited tax note.
The District limited tax note is from 1998 and is scheduled to mature in 2018. The current interest is “around 4.5 percent” and the new rate will be 2.38 percent. The difference in the payments will be returned to the District Maintenance Fund.
• Heard a financial update from District Business Manager Randy Goodwin.
“As of Sept. 30, 2010 our District Maintenance Fund Balance was $423,873.09,” Goodwin told the Board.
Casey Washington asked what the anticipated balance would be by the end of the year. Goodwin answered, “If nothing happens and they don’t cut us, probably eight or nine hundred ($800,000 or $900,000).”
The prospect of cuts in funding were discussed by the board members who predicted that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) will be fully funded next year because of the elections.
They agreed that state officials would probably cut the funds by ten percent after the election around budget time in September or October.
Washington asked if funds were budgeted for paper items such as copy paper and toilet paper. He said he had been approached by people who said they had been told that the district couldn’t afford paper. “I understand we are trying to build a reserve, but is that an issue?”
“I’ve not turned down a requisition for copy paper or toilet paper,” Goodwin said, explaining that the staff is just being told to watch their spending.
• Approved the claims docket for payment.
• Amended the FY 2010 budget.
Every year we amend our original budget to what we actually spent,” Goodwin said.
• Heard the Superintendent’s Report.
“A written report will not be given until our next meeting due to the number of items that we have to discuss tonight,” Dr. Moran said with a smile.
