After years of complying with restrictive hiring practices, the Simpson County School Board has issued payment to the law firm of Adams and Reese in conjunction with settlement of the court ordered consent decree from which the county has finally been released.
The settlement check for $11,945.60 should now have the school district in compliance with federal guidelines regarding employment practices.
Citing a lack of board members present, the board opted to wait until a later date to hold leadership elections. At the point on the agenda when the election was to be held, Dale Shotts, Lillie Hardy and Stacey Herring were the only members present. Linda Curlee arrived at the meeting later.
Member Sammy Welch was in an accident that will have him sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, according to Superintendent Greg Paes. Welch is suffering from back injuries but is at home.
The district has converted many of the mowers and equipment to propane but has not yet determined that this is the best practice because if the grounds crews are at Simpson Central and run out of fuel it requires carrying the equipment back to Mendenhall to refuel.
The minutes for the board meeting of December 14 were approved, but because of changes minutes of the December 21 meeting were not approved.
The board approved travel for Stephanie Kennedy to attend a workshop in Memphis, Tenn., at no cost to the school district.
The board approved Crystal Brewer and Dr. Antoinette Woodall to attend a workshop in Washington, D.C., for the purpose of recognizing Brewer as one of the top five counselors in the nation. This trip is also at no cost to the school district.
The board approved a “Train the Trainer” workshop at Mississippi State University at no cost to the district.
The board approved the retirement of Charlotte Mangum, who had 40 years of service to the district. The board accepted the resignation of Charley Rahaim as coach and social studies teacher and of Eddie McInnis as bus driver for Magee.
They approved the employment of Patricia Braddock as agriculture teacher replacing Joshua Coleman and approved her placement at the vocational center.
School board attorney Wesla Leech reported to the board that she was waiting on a survey for transfer of the Pinola school property. She told the board she was waiting on the Magee mayor for a title search on school property in Magee.
Superintendent Paes reported that Magee Elementary had received a grant from Blue Cross for playground equipment in the amount of $349.83.
He also reported an issue with a trip that was supposed to have been funded by sources other than the district. It is a trip to Orlando, which will cost the district $598 for registration.
