The Zachary Community School Board authorized Superintendent Scott Devillier to enter into a purchase agreement with the Zachary Men's Club last week at its Jan. 24 meeting.

Four acres of land that borders Northwestern Middle School on Avenue A is owned by the Zachary Men's Club and is currently being used for P.E. classes, said Board Member Scott Swilley.

The property will be sold to the school district at market value, which equates to $120,000.

Also on the agenda, Superintendent Devillier reported on the opening of the district's eighth school - Rollins Place Elementary.

Rollins Place opened Jan. 22 and will be the site of a ribbon cutting and open house ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 19. (See Rollins Place Opens, Page 1)

Devillier also said there will be a meeting for the parents of all eighth-graders at Zachary High on Monday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. in the gym. The meeting will discuss 9th-grade schedules and showcase career pathways.

Other board agenda items included:

SPELLING BEE: Two spelling bee winners from Zachary Elementary were recognized by school board members - second-grader Gavin Malden, and third-grader Hannah Lopez.

Malden spelled 'jelly' correctly for the win. Thirty-eight kids competed in the 2nd-grade spelling bee. Lopez spelled 'magician' correctly, defeating 31 other contestants. Each received a certificate from the board.

NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS: The board also recognized Copper Mill Elementary teacher Leah Boulton and Zachary Elementary's Maegan Laborde for obtaining National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Each will receive an additional $6,500 per month in salary, said Personnel Director Yolanda Williams.

The district once had five teachers who were nationally certified but can now claim 30 who have earned the national achievement, Williams said.

The intense process takes about a year to complete and involves completing 10 assessments and submitting portfolios on teaching practices.

The certifications are valid for 10 years.

PERSONNEL RECOGNIZED: Retiree Philomena Slaughter, of Northwestern Middle, was honored for her years of service. Board member Hubie Owen presented Slaughter with a plaque which read: 'Schools are only as good as the people inside...honoring your dedication to children upon retirement.'

"Her spirit is what we'll miss. She's contributed so much to our kids (at NMS)," said Principal Debbie Brian.

Director of Child Nutrition Helen Folks helped the board recognize food service employees with phase training and certification awards signed by State Superintendent John White.

Anthony Patterson, food service manager at Zachary High, and Kathy Norwood, food service manager at Copper Mill, were required to complete the training.

Three other food service employees elected to undergo the training: Nicole Smith, clerk at ZHS, Brigeria Queen, head cook at CME, and Ruby Hartman, child nutrition tech at CME.

"They all went above and beyond displaying outstanding efforts," Folks said.

SCHOOL CALENDAR: The 2013-14 ZCSD calendar was approved by board members.

The calendar shows a start date for teachers on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, two days earlier than last year to allow for extra prep time.

Students will return to school after their summer break on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013.

School calendars can be found on the district's web site at www.zacharyschools.org.

The next board meeting is at noon on Thursday, Feb. 14, in order to authorize the sale of bonds. There will be no evening meeting on that date.