DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / November 18, 2000

LUTCHER – BellSouth Mobility is donating 46 telephones and monthly serviceat no cost to the St. James Parish School Board.

Market manager Lisa Klein Philippi approached the school board Tuesday topropose the deal. The parish school buses have been without an adequatecommunication system for sometime, as the old radios are outdated and notin many of the buses. It would have cost the school board $800 per bus toreconnect them, said Millie Matherne, administrative director.

The 46 phones will be set with five predetermined numbers to avoid abuse.

Bus drivers will be able to contact people like the sheriff’s department, amechanic and the school system, though specifics have yet to be decided.

BellSouth will pay the monthly charges, though stickers will be attached tothe buses. The stickers, not yet designed, will note that the communicationwas furnished or donated by BellSouth.

This type of program has been used successfully in the school systemsaround Baton Rouge, said Philippi.

Also during the meeting, Darla Hymel and Tracy Zeringue were given their$500 BellSouth mini-grants for their classrooms.

Also, the Paulina 4-H club was congratulated for its National Safety Award ofMerit.

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