The Winn Parish School Board heard that the most recent bid efforts to sell its surplus properties of Winnfield Kindergarten School and Atlanta High School fell short so another round of bids will be in order.

Members were told that no bids were received for the old WKS property.  They also learned that just one bid from Chris Hilton was received on the AHS property but it was “well below the required 80% appraised value” so a third bid round would be necessary.

Supt. Al Simmons had previously advised that state law requires that first round bids must meet or exceed appraised value while second round bids must reach the 80% level but third round bids could be the best of any offered bids.

Costs of running a school district continue to grow but the board got a little good news in its June meeting when Wendell Luneau gave a proposal from Brown & Brown on insurance coverage on property, EDP, Boiler & Machinery and Workers Compensation.  The summer was “better rates and better coverage” than this ending year and the board accepted.

Members had received a report that there would be no traditional “summer school,” as such this year but there would be “Summer Literacy Camp” instead.  The goal is to put a spin on fun rather than requirement to attract children to participate.  Simmons said camp “kicked off in great fashion” with tents set up in classrooms based on book reading.

The initial signup had been light but he reported that response was good.  “I appreciate the work done to create this fun nature.  You got the word out.  We’re reaching kids to respond better to situations.”

The superintendent also advised of a Jobs Fair held as the district looks ahead to fall needs for support personnel including drivers, substitutes and paraprofessionals.