By Rupert Howell
As the 2015-16 school year winds down, Superintendent Tim Wilder was not optimistic about school opening in the new elementary building for the 2016-17 school year next August, telling South Panola School board trustees he would have to make a call by the end of June.
“People don’t know what went in to opening school,” following last year’s July 10, 2015 fire that destroyed the Kindergarten Wing of Batesville Elementary School.
Before school could start less than a month later, classrooms were changed across town to accommodate the kindergartners, bathrooms retrofitted for different size students and furniture and supplies were obtained and moved to alternative locations.
Wilder explained that teachers, parents and the entire community pitched in to make school begin on time, and further added that making the change from the existing configuration to the new facilities will have a “domino effect.”
He explained that  kindergarten classes have to be moved prior to the fifth grade classes reclaiming their space at Batesville Middle School prior to the Alternative School reclaiming their space at Batesville Junior High School.
Asked by Trustee Buddy Gray if he would begin moving as soon as the building projects were complete if school had already begun, Wilder replied, “If we can move in an efficient fashion at an opportune time,” citing a holiday or fall break as examples.
In a board update, architects for the building projects stated that the contractor was still behind schedule at the Kindergarten Wing site due to weather. During Tuesday night’s monthly trustee board meeting administrators also cited a lot of work had not been properly done and had to be redone including, “plumbing issues, mortar issues and drainage issues.”
The architect’s update also stated, “I still have concerns over this date (completion date) and recommend the owner (SP District) plan on starting school (Batesville Elementary) where they are currently.”
At the Ninth Grade Wing, completion is scheduled for the middle of July, “Later than I anticipated,” said Wilder.
The district can receive liquidated damages of $1,000 per day per project if not completed on time.
During Tuesday’s meeting Wilder also floated a request for the trustees to consider construction of a physical education facility at Batesville Elementary School. He recommended it be erected on school property next to the Houston residence on Boothe Street.
“They (Elementary School students)  need a place to have physical education. I just think it’s needed,” Wilder said.
The superintendent said he would have preliminary plans at next month’s meeting scheduled for June 20.By Rupert Howell
As the 2015-16 school year winds down, Superintendent Tim Wilder was not optimistic about school opening in the new elementary building for the 2016-17 school year next August, telling South Panola School board trustees he would have to make a call by the end of June.
“People don’t know what went in to opening school,” following last year’s July 10, 2015 fire that destroyed the Kindergarten Wing of Batesville Elementary School.
Before school could start less than a month later, classrooms were changed across town to accommodate the kindergartners, bathrooms retrofitted for different size students and furniture and supplies were obtained and moved to alternative locations.
Wilder explained that teachers, parents and the entire community pitched in to make school begin on time, and further added that making the change from the existing configuration to the new facilities will have a “domino effect.”
He explained that  kindergarten classes have to be moved prior to the fifth grade classes reclaiming their space at Batesville Middle School prior to the Alternative School reclaiming their space at Batesville Junior High School.
Asked by Trustee Buddy Gray if he would begin moving as soon as the building projects were complete if school had already begun, Wilder replied, “If we can move in an efficient fashion at an opportune time,” citing a holiday or fall break as examples.
In a board update, architects for the building projects stated that the contractor was still behind schedule at the Kindergarten Wing site due to weather. During Tuesday night’s monthly trustee board meeting administrators also cited a lot of work had not been properly done and had to be redone including, “plumbing issues, mortar issues and drainage issues.”
The architect’s update also stated, “I still have concerns over this date (completion date) and recommend the owner (SP District) plan on starting school (Batesville Elementary) where they are currently.”
At the Ninth Grade Wing, completion is scheduled for the middle of July, “Later than I anticipated,” said Wilder.
The district can receive liquidated damages of $1,000 per day per project if not completed on time.
During Tuesday’s meeting Wilder also floated a request for the trustees to consider construction of a physical education facility at Batesville Elementary School. He recommended it be erected on school property next to the Houston residence on Boothe Street.
“They (Elementary School students)  need a place to have physical education. I just think it’s needed,” Wilder said.
The superintendent said he would have preliminary plans at next month’s meeting scheduled for June 20.