Financial Picture Looks Good For School District

WATER VALLEY – The financial condition of the school district continues to improve, trustees learned at the board meeting Monday night.

Business Manager Randy Goodwin told the board that as of Sept. 30 the fund balance in the district maintenance fund – an all-important indicator of the district’s financial health – stands at $1,583,241.36.

The balance means that the district should have no problem meeting the State Department of Education requirement of ending the fiscal year with a minimum of seven percent of the total district maintenance fund in reserve.

“When is the last time we’ve been in this kind of shape?” Trustee Casey Washington asked.
Goodwin answered, “Not since I’ve been here.”

The only negative the business manager sees on the horizon is the possibility of a budget cut from the state. He noted that if there were to be a cut, it wouldn’t be announced until after the election in November.

“We’re in a position that if it isn’t just awful, we can absorb it,” he said.

Among other actions at the Oct. 17 meeting, trustees:

• Accepted a $1000 donation from the Walmart Foundation.

• Disposed of assets that had been taken under advisement at the last meeting.

• Approved the claims docket.

• Heard Superintendent Kim Chrestman report that Davidson Elementary School is incorporating guest speakers and active demonstrations into their library program.

In the last few weeks DES has had a number of speakers and activities aimed at enhancing the students’ knowledge of subjects about which they are reading.

“These include a fire-truck, firemen, policemen, an ambulance, nurses, Emergency Medical Tech-nicians, 4-H representatives, and students from Ole Miss,” Chrestman said.  “Subjects included community helpers, community health, character education, bullying, and the continent of Africa.”

Chrestman reported that active learning at DES continues as the second grade took a field-trip last Friday to the Buffalo Park in Tupelo.  “On this trip they were able to participate in a petting zoo, see exotic animals, play in the Indian village, and take a bison bus tour.”
 
The Superintendent added that students also walked in the pumpkin patch, saw a sorghum maze, built a scarecrow, and took a hayride. 

He said fifth grade students attended Health-Works! in Tupelo on Friday also. The DES faculty and staff participated in a lot of the activities with the students. 

Chrestman announced that the DES annual fall festival would be held on Friday, October 28, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. 

At WVHS a “Water Valley Has Talent” Show was held last Friday.  “I would like to commend our kids for their behavior at the Friday Event,” Chrestman said. “Also, I would like to congratulate the Water Valley Drum line as the winners of the talent show.”

This week on Tuesday Yalobusha General Hospital hosted a health fair at the high school, he added.
And finally, Chrestman reported, all Water Valley School District employees were provided a “Get & Go” Steak Lunch Monday at Davidson Elementary School. 

“The purpose was to say ‘thank you’ for what you do for the students and the community.  And many thanks to those who provided the meal, he said, referring to members of the community who sponsored the meal. Casey Washington and a member of his staff worked the grill.

• Entered executive session at 7:22 p.m. after meeting in regular session for just over 47 minutes.
The next regular meeting of the school board is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7 in the boardroom of the district office on Markette Street.

Davidson Elementary School (DES) is incorporating guest speakers and active demonstrations into their library program to enhance the students’ knowledge of subjects they are reading about.  In the last few weeks DES has had a number of speakers and activities.  These include a firetruck, firemen, policemen, an ambulance, nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), 4H representatives, and students from Ole Miss.  Subjects included community helpers, community health, character education, bullying, and the continent of Africa.

Active learning at Davidson Elementary School continues as the second grade took a fieldtrip on Friday to the Buffalo Park in Tupelo.  On this trip they were able to participate in a petting zoo, see exotic animals, play in the Indian village, and take a bison bus tour.  Students also walked in the pumpkin patch, saw a sorghum maze, built a scarecrow, and took a hayride.  The weather was perfect and made for a great day!

The fifth grade students attended HealthWorks! in Tupelo on Friday also. The staff at HealthWorks! kept the students engaged the entire time, and feel they learned a lot of health and nutrition information.  The DES faculty and staff that attended were engaged as well and participated in a lot of the activities with the students.  Upon leaving, many students stated that they wanted to go back to HealthWorks! again.

Davidson Elementary School annual fall festival will be held on Friday, October 28 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Students and faculty are looking forward to a great time.

The “Box Top Winners” at Davidson Elementary School for the First 9 weeks is Mrs. Naron’s homeroom class.  Each class collects Box Tops for their individual classes.  Each Box Top is worth ten cents for our school. The students in Mrs. Naron’s class were rewarded with a “Popsicle Party” for collecting the most box tops.  Collection boxes for “Box Tops” are placed at various business locations in Water Valley.  Any coupons donated to our school will be greatly appreciated.

Water Valley High School had a “Water Valley Has Talent” Show Friday, October 14, 2011.  As superintendent, I would like to commend our kids for their behavior at the Friday Event.  Excellent!  Also, I would like to congratulate the Water Valley Drum line as the winners of the talent show.
 
Yalobusha General will be hosting a health fair on Tuesday, October 18 at WVHS.  All WVHS students will attend.

Water Valley Football team will be playing Aberdeen for the #1 spot in the division Friday night, October 21, 2011.  We are expecting a great game and the Blue Devils to come out on top.  Please come out and support our Blue Devils.

And finally, ALL Water Valley School District employees were provided a “Get & Go” Steak Lunch today (Monday) at Davidson Elementary.  The purpose was to say “THANK YOU” for what you do for the students and the community.  And many “THANKS” to those that provided the meal.