The North Pike School District Board of Education on Thursday opened bids and accepted multiple offers for hunting-and-fishing leases on district property covering several parcels.

Board staff recommended accepting the highest or sole qualifying bids on each parcel. The board approved motions to accept the recommended bids by voice vote.

Accepted bids included: Lane O'Quinn for a 640-acre parcel at $12.50 per acre; Roxanne King for 24.6 acres at $12.50 per acre; an Allen Kansas (name as recorded in minutes) bid for a 40-acre parcel at $9 per acre; Kevin Tims for an 80.6-acre parcel at $30 per acre; Joseph Cole for 180 acres at $15 per acre; Steven Porter/Williamson Nursery for 35 acres at $30 per acre (the incumbent, Ruth Humphrey, was offered the option to match the higher bid); and William Jarrell for 114.4 acres at $25 per acre (the meeting record notes Jarrells spouse, Jennifer Gerald, was present and is listed on the lease).

On the 35-acre parcel where the board received two offers, staff advised the incumbent lessee, Ruth Humphrey, that she had the option to match the $30-per-acre offer from Steven Porter/Williamson Nursery. On other parcels with single bids, staff confirmed the bids met the minimums required and recommended acceptance.

After the final acceptance, staff thanked bidders and said Ms. Forberry (district staff) would answer questions about the leases.

All bid acceptances were handled as separate motions under the boards bidding process and were approved by the board during the meeting.