Quitman Elementary School will soon have new playground equipment after the Quitman School Board approved a bid from Beyond Your Ordinary Recreation in the amount of $19,962.

“That would include the cost of the Coconut Grove creative play structure plus all the installation by the company,” Superintendent Rhonda Turner said. “We decided it would be worth the $5,000 for them to install it because they will do it correctly and they know what they are doing. We decided (the old equipment) was not safe for our kids so we did not want them on it. Right now those kids don’t have a big piece of equipment to play on.”

Turner said there is money in the budget for the playground equipment. “We do have money in the budget for it. We made sure of that.” The board unanimously approved the proposal.

During the public forum time of the meeting Cindy Soape, Clyde Graves and Blaine Shackelford each spoke in support of Coach Hayland Hardy and the current baseball program. There were several Quitman students and some former players in the gallery at the meeting. Hardy recently learned he would be re-assigned and will no longer be the baseball coach next year ending a 12-year run as the Bulldog baseball head man.

A 1973 Quitman graduate, Cindy Soape, was the first open forum speaker of the evening. “I understand in that in Texas football is king and that is the most important thing in every school district in the state of Texas. It doesn’t matter how good your baseball program is or how good your volleyball program is, or how good your basketball program is. If your football program isn’t working you have go to fix something,” Soape stated. “And frankly, I have been keeping my eye on the Quitman football program and it needs to be fixed, but not at the cost of another program.”

Former Quitman Bulldog Blaine Shackelford spoke about his relationship with Hardy. “Hayland Hardy took me and my classmates and pushed us to our limits. He told us from day one to buy in and we would see results and we did. Baseball isn’t the most important thing this man taught us,” Shackelford acknowledged. “He taught us that academics were the first and foremost thing before we ever set foot on the baseball field. He taught us to never quit no matter what and to always fight no matter what odds were stacked against us.”

Clyde Graves also spoke about Hardy. “I have known Coach Hardy since he was playing ball at Stephen F. Austin and have always known him to be a man of integrity. I’ve seen him face so many obstacles, but never waver,” Graves said. “His dedication to all people, especially his players is unquestionable. He challenges his players to be the best men they can be. What he instills in his players is so much more than baseball.”

When contacted, Hardy said he would rather not make a comment at this time. Turner said “I can’t comment on personnel decisions.”

Hardy was approved for the 2017-2018 school year for a dual contract as a teacher and coach on the staff. After an executive session, contracts for 87 teachers were approved by the board. There were 38 in the elementary school, 18 at junior high and 31 at the high school level.

In another matter, the board approved a joint election agreement with the City of Quitman and the Wood County Central Hospital District appointing Terrell Aaronspeer as the election judge for the Quitman School District election being held May 6.

In the superintendent’s report Turner stated construction on the additions at the school are on schedule and under budget at this time. She also reported district enrollment was at 1,106.

In other matters, the board:

• Approved a resolution extending the depository contract with BTH of Quitman;

• Certified Superintendent Turner to the Region 7 Advisory Committee;

• Approved Region 7 Board of Directors to fill expiring terms. David Seago filed for Place 1 representing Wood, Van Zandt, Upshur and Rains Counties.