After a presentation by Quitman Elementary School Principal Kelli Fortner, the Quitman School Board decided to purchase a new science curriculum for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The purchase is a cutting-edge textbook and lab kit set from McGraw-Hill. QISD will be purchasing the curriculum for $50,924. Fortner mentioned that the kits are “non-consumable,” so they will be able to be re-used.

The board also approved the annual agreement between Tyler Junior College and QISD. There are only a few changes in 2024’s MOU, as Superintendent Chris Mason mentioned. The only significant change, Mason says, is that “we actually expect that our dual credit cost (will) go down.”

One item of interest at the meeting was Jordan Watts and Abby Day acting out a scene from Quitman High School’s recent one-act play, “The Lost Boy.” In the production, Watts plays J.M. Barrie (the author of “Peter Pan”), and Day plays Barrie’s mother.

The scene was given a standing ovation at its completion. Hunter Ballard, Quitman theater teacher, informed the audience that the play will be onstage one last time on May 6.

David Hartsfield won the Top Dog award for his “high integrity, high character, (and) awesome work ethic.” The Top Dog award is for those who “are helping in our community, or helping in our schools, that exhibit what being a Bulldog is,” according to Mason.