The Brookhaven School Board agreed to advertise for bids forroof replacement on three school buildings at Tuesday night’smonthly board meeting.

Assistant Superintendent James Tillman told the board that therooves on the original Mamie Martin Elementary School building, theLipsey Middle School cafeteria/kitchen and gymnasium, and theAlexander Junior High School cafeteria/kitchen and lobby area needreplacing. While they are not the only things in need of attention,they are the most pressing, he said.

“These are the areas that need the most as far as improvements,” hetold the board.

The funding for the project is probably already taken care of, saidBrookhaven School District Superintendent Lea Barrett. She saidthere should be money still available from the project that fundedthe new windows at Brookhaven Elementary School, which wereinstalled last summer.

Barrett also commended Alexander Junior High School principal onthe Positive Panther Points Program, a project that rewardschildren for positive behavior in schools.

“Mr. (Rod) Henderson has been very successful in selling hispositive behavior program in the community,” she said. “It isencouraging to see children do the kinds of things we want to seethem do.”

The board accepted several donations to the program from areabusinesses, including $2,000 from Trustmark Bank, $1,500 fromWal-Mart, $500 from Bank of Brookhaven, and $234 from BalfourRings.

Barrett also presented board members with a gift bag as a thank-youfor their hard work. Last week was “School Board AppreciationWeek,” she told them, and Gov. Haley Barbour signed a proclamationhonoring school boards across the state.

“We want you to know how much we appreciate what you do,” she said.”With the significant changes we see coming in public education atthe national and state level, and the budget cuts, the board’swillingness to serve is even more commendable.”

In other news, the Alexander chorus group won first place in astate competition on Tuesday. Also, 18 girls were chosen ascheerleaders after varsity cheerleader tryouts, Barrett said.