Alva Review-Courier -

The Freedom board of education had a slightly chaotic board meeting Monday night. A bond consultant was supposed to give a presentation at the meeting – and other presentations on related topics were also on the agenda – but when a board member suggested finding certain paperwork (such as the last contract), it proved difficult to locate quickly. So most of the agenda wound up being tabled until the paperwork could be found.

The presentation was to be by Stephen L. Smith Corp .; he was to talk about the bond services his company provides, and the board was to consider contracting with him. They were also planning to consider contracting Stephen L. Smith Corp. to be the school district's financial consultants.

The board had also planned to consider contracting with Red Sky Constructors for construction management services, and with Kerr3 Design (who was to be available on the phone to answer any questions from the board) for architectural services.

Online Shopping Fundraiser Approved

Before the confusion over papers began, the board handled the rest of its business. Among these was approving a fundraiser that would create a virtual school store that would raise money for the school.

Principal Michelle Shelite explained the concept to the board. The store is like an online shopping mall (www.SchoolStore.net) where parents or others can do their everyday shopping from the 400 stores affiliated with the site, such as Walmart, Sears, Target, Office Depot and Toys 'R' Us).

The school receives a percentage of the purchase amount and students can win prizes, according to the organization's website. Protecting the privacy of families as they support their school through online purchases is a priority for the organization, according to the organization itself.

Senior Trip Itinerary Approved

The board also approved the itinerary for the senior trip May 17-23. Students will leave Freedom at 3 a.m. on May 17, a Sunday, and arrive at the Washington, D.C., airport at 11:20 a.m. It will no doubt be a wild rush of a chaotic Sunday morning, but chances are the ride will continue wild until the troupe arrives back home from New York City on Saturday, May 23.

Other Board Business

The board also approved a bid from BancCentral of $17,000 for 20 desktop computers.

The consent agenda was approved. This included minutes of past meetings; the treasurer's report; encumbrances and warrants for the general, building, and child nutrition funds; and activity fund expenditures.

All board members were present: Shane Morris, Phil Kirkpatrick, Russell Reed, Shan Wilson and Robert Babcock. Also present were Superintendent Bryant Weber, Principal Michelle Shelite, and Minutes Clerk Patricia Dauphin.