Superintendent Dr. Paul A. Tisdale this afternoon plans to propose that the Biloxi school board close three schools -- Michel 6th Grade and Nichols and Beauvoir Elementary schools -- in a move to help reduce operating expenses for the revenue-strapped district.

The proposal will be made during the board's meeting at 5 p.m. at the Dukate Annex Building. The meeting is open to the public.

Funding is the primary issue driving the school consolidation: Enrollment in Biloxi Public Schools continues to be 1,300 students down since Hurricane Katrina, translating into a loss of $5.5 million in state funding; and the state also has slashed education funding because of revenue shortfalls.

Online agenda: To see the complete agenda for this afternoon's meeting, click here.

Track enrollment: To see school-by-school enrollment figures from pre-Katrina through today, by year and by week, click here.

Ms.Mary Edelen’s students at North Bay Elementary School in Biloxi received two Honorable Mention awards in the Toshiba/ NSTA Exploravision Contest.

The two teams that placed were Ty Peavy, Conner Daughdrill, and Brian Davis for their Protector Mask, and Francena Sekul, Cecelia Powell, and Margaux Duhe’ for the Healthy 365. There were 4,551 team entries.

The contest was a competition that encouraged students to use their imaginations with scientific tools to create and explore a vision of a future technology. Students worked in groups to simulate Research and Development teams.

Each team selected a technology or an aspect of technology that already existed to explore what it does, how it works, and how, when, and why it was invented. Then the students projected the technology 20 years into the future. Their vision was expressed through both written description and five graphics simulating web pages.

The entries were from across North America, and the North Bay entries are among those listed online at www.exploravision.org/winners/honorable-mentions-2009.php

PTO meeting: There will be a PTO meeting Wednesday, April 21 at 5:15 p.m. in Michel cafeteria. Parents will discuss end-of-the-year events.

Baucum gets Seal of approval: Jeanette Baucum, BHS Science Teacher, will receive $1500 to spend in her classroom as a 2010 recipient of the Leo W. Seal Teacher Recognition Award.

Stock Who Dats: Biloxi High School's "Team Who Dat" placed 57th out of 638 teams in the Mississippi Stock Market Game. They turned $100,000 into $113, 772 in 10 weeks of playing the stock market. The team is made up of Scott Austin, Brendan Ryan and Alejandro Ibanez. The sponsor is Deedy Gallagher.

Taylor scholarship: Brandon Taylor, BHS senior, has been awarded a four-year, $60,000 scholarship at the college of his choice. Brandon was selected among AFJROTC cadets nationwide for this US Air Force JROTC scholarship, which will pay his tuition, books, and fees. He will also receive a stipend each month for his entire four years of college.

Honors for Galeas: Biloxi High AFJROTC Cadet Indiana Galeas was selected to attend Honors Medical Camp this summer at the University of Oklahoma. Each year the Air Force selects 1% of cadets nationwide to attend this prestigious camp.

Tower of power: On April 17, the BHS Powerlifting Team placed third overall in the 6-A state competition. James Demourelle set two Class 6-A records with his squat of 725 lbs, and his total score of 1,645 lbs, as well as setting the state record for his 308 lb weight class as he earned his second consecutive state title.

Deadline approaching: April 30, 2010 is the final date for students or parents to change course selections for the 2010-11 school year. The only changes made after that date will be for administrative or clerical purposes.