Features Editor

The Troy City Board of Education passed a resolution

Monday night naming the new city and school tennis complex in honor of Mayor Jimmy Lunsford.

The resolution was passed on the recommendation of Superintendent Hank Jones and in concert with Troy State University.

"Mayor Lunsford has consistently been a supporter of the Troy Public School System and Troy State University," Jones said in making the recommendation to the board. "He was instrumental in securing funding for the new tennis complex for the benefit of the students of the Troy City Schools, Troy State University and the citizens of Troy. It is appropriate that the tennis complex should be named the Jimmy Lunsford Municipal Tennis Center."

Jones reminded board members and those in attendance of the importance of the ad valorem tax referendum set for March 12.

The tax brings in about $1.1 million to the city school system and allows the school system to do many different things, including reducing its bond indebtedness.

"If the tax is defeated it will be devastating to our school system," Jones said. "We will have to cut out all student activities, including band, debate, athletics. We will lose a secretary at each school and a custodian, two people in the central office and have to cut back on maintenance. Textbooks could be eliminated. The impact will be devastating."

The superintendent, however, expressed confidence that the citizens of Troy and Pike County want the best quality education possible for their children.

"I don’t think the vote will be a problem," Jones said. "But, we need to make sure everyone understands that this is not a new tax. It is just the continuation of an existing tax. And, we need to encourage our citizens to get out and vote March 12."

In other business the board:

· Hired Jaimie Buckelew as an instructional aide at Troy Elementary School.

· Amended the budget to put back in the 1 percent that had been deducted due to anticipated proration.

· Amended the capital plans for the initiation of specific projects within the next couple of years, including a counseling addition to the administration building, the renovation of the locker rooms at Charles Henderson High School, face lifts at the middle and high schools including, interior and exterior painting and new flooring, and a lobby at the gym of the middle school.

· Awarded the bid to Southland International of Birmingham for a 22-seat bus in the amount of $35,829.28.

· Declared surplus property, including a 1977 Ford pickup truck, a 1981 Chevrolet Suburban and two 1986 school buses.