Superintendent Joyce Johnson reminded the crowd that the purpose of all of the discussion and of the study was to find out what was best for no one else other than the children of NASD.

• In other school news:

At the school board’s regular meeting, they gave approval for a teacher retreat for McLaurin Elementary and Frazier Primary to be hosted in Raymond, at a conference center and challenge course facility.

The retreat would serve to train teachers to implement common core standards.

State and federally mandated common core standards require schools to adapt a new curriculum within K-12 schools, which will incrementally — starting in lower grades — increase standards for learning that are more in line with the rest of the nation.

Frazier Principal Vera Dumore said her teachers have been receiving training throughout the school year, which can interfere with daily lessons.

McLaurin Principal Alice Morrison said it would be beneficial for teachers to receive common core training prior to the next school year, so they can be better prepared come August.

The purpose of combining both schools’ teachers at one retreat is to vertically align the schools, easing the transition from second grade at Frazier to third grade at McLaurin.

Morrison said the cost of the retreat would be an estimated $25,000 to $30,000, and it would include stipends and travel for 27 teachers from McLaurin and 10 from Frazier.

In response to a question about hosting the retreat out of town from Board Member Dr. Benny Wright, Morrison said hosting the retreat in Raymond would give the teachers access to team building programs and would help attendees focus on the task at hand without distractions of going home in the evenings.

She said the retreat would be partially funded by funds awarded to McLaurin for being named one of two distinguished Title I fund schools in the state.

McLaurin was awarded more than $24,000 for the honor.

The board unanimously approved funding for the retreat.