A water main break in Winnfield as Thanksgiving approached brought with it a citywide boil advisory but city schools reopened safely after the holiday break when bottled water was transported to the schools by the district’s crews, the Winn Parish School Board heard from Supt. Al Simmons at their December 2 meeting.

The city crew was working on a leak in the main on S. Bevill Street around 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, when the line blew out.  The crew continued working until repairs were completed around 2:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.  Daily water samples are taken until an “all clear” is given.

The superintendent told the board that the cafeteria managers were especially versed on the advisory then went on to compliment the efforts of cafeteria workers across the parish for the work they went through to put on a Thanksgiving lunch that brought in big crowds of guests before the break.  “It was quite an undertaking, making preparations all week.  There were many guests.  Calvin hosted our Retired Teachers group.  It was a labor of love.”

Dodson High School took its next step towards baseball and softball field improvements with acceptance of lighting bids.  The low bid of $431,726 by Twin City Electric of Monroe was approved.  GeoSport Lighting LLC of St. Gabriel had also submitted a bid of $497,000.  A third contractor was involved in pre-bid conference but did not bid.

In the short Monday session, member Harry Scott asked if the survey of the Atlanta High School property showed that “we own what we think we own” as they prepare to give the library site to the parish library system.  He heard that they do.  He also inquired about the possibility of a bond issue for a parish sports complex and head that, while possible, it would take some study first.

Unable to attend in person, member Dan Taylor participated in the session via speaker telephone.