In August 2024, Pre-Kindergarten students in Weir and French Camp will be combined into one class and the district will hold Pre-K at Weir Elementary.
This is not a permanent decision, but a decision the district had to make due to low enrollment in the program.
French Camp’s current Pre-K teacher, Kylie Ferguson, will be moved to Ackerman Elementary in a district initiated move where she will teach second grade.
According to data on the Mississippi Department of Education’s website, French Camp Elementary’s data is suppressed on the number of students enrolled currently in the Pre-K program. MDE suppressed the number if it’s a low number of enrollment because it could. easily identify a child. Weir currently has 20 children enrolled in its program.
It currently takes the district $16,000 per child at French Camp and $20,000 per child at Weir. This means that for $16,000 per child at French Camp and $20,000 per child at Weir the district is able to provide the child with breakfast and lunch, necessity needs – water, lights, keep the school clean and sanitary – and instructional and support staff, administration, the list could go on.
Overall, French Camp has 122 students currently enrolled, and Weir has 126. Ackerman has the highest number with 461 students enrolled.
Federal Programs director Maureen Power said the enrollment at French Camp this year is low, that they don’t have enough children to have an assistant in the classroom. They can only have Ferguson.
Another district-initiated move will be at Weir Elementary. Special Education Assistant Teacher Courtney Potts will be moved to an assistant teacher at Weir. This move is also because of the enrollment in the special education program.
Also, the board approved staff for the 2024-2025 school year.
All current staff were approved for another year at each of the schools. Trustees Rebecca Orr and Ommie Ashford recused themselves from the vote. Orr recused herself from the Ackerman Elementary vote and Orr and Ashford recused themselves from the Choctaw County High School vote.
The board also approved the AES After School, Career and Technical Center, Transportation, Cafeteria and Special Education bus rider staff for the 2024-2025 school year.
And approved salaries and pay scales for the 2024-2025 school year.
The board also approved a new supplement for the junior varsity boys and girls basketball.
The board also:
Approved to accept an out of district student and deny the release of another student.
Approved an early graduation request for the next school year.
Approved to give sick leave to Superintendent Glen Beard.
Approved the transfer of Jeremy Miller from an intervention assistant to a second-grade teacher at Ackerman Elementary.
Approved the transfer of Alison Rush from an assistant teacher to a first and second grade teacher at Weir Elementary.
Approved the transfer of Clancy Burdine from a special education teacher at Ackerman Elementary to a special education teacher at Choctaw County High School.
Approved the retirement of Gina Bishop at CCCTC, Carla Miles as a cook/cashier at Ackerman Elementary, and Ronnie Brooks as bus shop foreman.
Approved the resignations of Tate Allen as choral director at CCHS, Kyla McKnight as a first and second grade teacher at WES, Ryan Smith as a science teacher at CCHS, Andy Young as the head Cross Country coach.
Assistant Superintendent Glen Blaine noted Young is not leaving the district, he’s just giving up one of his supplements.
