KaBoom will begin construction of two playgrounds at Edward Hynes next fall, its board announced at its April / May meeting.

Principal Michelle Williams said KaBoom, a national non-profit dedicated to creating community play spaces, will build a smaller playground in a dedicated space for the school’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students and a larger one for older students. She added that the project will take about two months to complete.

In other news, Hynes announced two new board members, Dr. Cassandra Youmans and Helene Derbigny. They will replace Todd Schexnayder and Elizabeth Sigler.
Vice president Alvin Meister will succeed Schexnayder as president next fall.

Classes will begin Aug. 9 for grades one-eight and Aug. 16 for grades pre-k and kindergartners, according to the school’s newly released academic calendar for 2012-2013.

In other business, Williams gave an update on Hynes’ continuing discussion with Entergy over soaring energy costs. A recent bill, calculated at the rate reserved for large commercial structures, fell to $17,000 – much closer to the $15,000 the school has been budgeting for utilities.

A final bill is expected at the end of the month.

The meeting concluded with the board going into executive session to discuss the staff health insurance policy.

The next board meeting is June 12.