At the Simpson County School Board’s regular meeting on February 15, they considered recommendations for hires for the next school year on the approved human resources report with all administrative positions remaining the same.
All current principal positions will remain the same except for Mendenhall High School. The report showed 52 vacant teacher positions district- wide that will need to be filled before next school year.
The Simpson County School District (SCSD) recognized staff members and schools for their recent achievements. Honorees included Tommy Brumfield, Administrator of the Year; Stacy Chapin, Parent of the Year; and Kenyatta Durr, Teacher of the Year.
It was reported that Dr. Romonica Feazell earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership, Darla Huffman, earned National Board Certification for Teaching, and Dr. Andrea Shivers, earned a doctorate in education administration.
Magee High School and Mendenhall Jr. High were recognized for earning an improved letter grade, and The Board of Education was presented with certificates, as well as a proclamation from the Mississippi Governor, in observance of National School Board Recognition Week, Feb. 18-24.
Board Trustee Stanley Bulger gave a report on the status of the consolidated high school, stating that a case against the consolidation has advanced to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Bulger expects a ruling after April 15. He also reiterated that the board approved the motion to add school resource officers to both high schools; however, progress is at a pause due to circumstances external to the district.
Simpson County School District has begun the application process to get a pre-kindergarten (pre-K) program in the district. If successful, plans will be made to include pre-K at Magee Elementary, Mendenhall Elementary and Simpson Central schools.
It was reported that Simpson County School District has been making efforts to establish a partnership with AirSouth Cooling and Heating to offer H-VAC programming at the Simpson County Technical Center.
Superintendent Dr. Paul Lawrence reported that he represented the district at the Simpson County Development Foundation’s Strategic Planning Meeting. Lawrence said that district administrators have been busy conducting principal evaluations while also pushing a strong emphasis on principals becoming strong instructional leaders of their schools.
Jeffrey Walker, director of maintenance, reported that the new facility at Simpson Central School is complete and furniture has been moved in.
He also gave an update on the conditions of Mendenhall Jr. High gym, saying the floor is buckled and mildew is present. Walker explained that due to damage sustained by previous storms and the costs to repair that damage, no plans will be made to recover the Mendenhall Jr. High School gym.
Stanley Bulger said, “We have to get out of that swamp. We are depriving kids at Mendenhall Jr. High of an opportunity to experience what happens in a gym.”
Bulger esaid that by not consolidating high schools, the county is failing those kids. He estimated that it would cost $24 million to fix Mendenhall Jr. High School, and “it would still be in a swamp next to a lagoon.”
The board entered executive session to discuss student discipline and personnel before adjourning the meeting.
