The construction phase for the new high school was approved at the Long County Board of Education’s January meeting.
Board members were given a report on the planned high school by Superintendent Dr. Robert Waters and were told that Phase I, which is the site preparation, was being wrapped up. Phase II, which is the actual construction of the building, would begin after that.
The board approved the beginning of this phase, which started Jan. 16.
In other news from the meeting, winners were announced for Walker Middle School’s annual spelling bee. Paul Williams was this year’s winner and Akirua Kelly was runner-up.
Other finalists competing in the contest included Maurissa Proffitt, Michelle DelaCruz, Kendall Lovett, Kimauria Ward, Christian Bass, Emily Palacios, Alex Sanchez, Jonathan Goode, Ravae Rose, Misael Tepetate, Akikura Kelly, Brandon Long and Paul Williams. The coordinator for the event was middle school teacher Helen Young.
“We are proud of our students at Walker and for the commitment they put forth to become the very best,” said WMS Principal Heath Crane.
Crane also thanked the teachers and parents for their support in making the spelling bee a success.
Also at the meeting:
• The board approved a preconstruction/vendor’s meeting, which took place Jan. 20.
• The board re-appointed Dempsey Golden as its chairman and Florence Baggs as its vice chairwoman for the 2012 year, and approved all of its regularly-scheduled meetings to begin at 4 p.m. on the second Monday of each month.
• Terry Kenny, who recently was selected as WTOC’s Top Teacher of the Week, was recognized. Kenny is the director of the Long County High School band.
• LCHS advisor Karen Swindell said that members of the Future Farmers of America competed in the Area 6 Agricultural Mechanics and Wildlife Management competition. Swindell said that the agricultural team finished sixth overall and the wildlife management team finished ninth. She said that Richard Todd was the runner-up in game bird biology, Elvis Morales was third in welding and Jimmy Parker was third in whitetail deer management. Austin Simmons took home fourth place in aquatics. Other students who competed included Dusty Spell, Tyler Clark, Will Desimone, Frank Bleyman, Ryan Spells, Alex Lyons, Christian Hall and Chris Carter.
“We want to congratulate these students, and we appreciate the hard work put in by Ms. (Erin) Vickers and Mr. (Marc) Roe for preparing them for the competition,” Swindell said.