James Mason, superintendent of the Webster County School District, updated the Eupora Rotary Club during the first full week of school.
“We have outstanding schools in Webster County,” he told Rotarians on Aug. 9.
“I’m really proud to tell you our kindergarten end-of-year assessments were in the top 25% in the state out of 140 districts and our third-grade reading gate scores were fourth in the state out of 140 districts,” Mason said.
Accountability test results will be released to the public in a few weeks.
In an update on facilities, Mason said three projects are being funded by federal funds provided through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund:
• Heating and air conditioning upgrades at Eupora Elementary and East Webster Elementary schools are almost complete.
• Eupora High School roof replacement project has been delayed for months because of a shortage of materials. The contractor just started after finally obtaining all the materials to replace the roof, and the project should take six-eight weeks to finish.
• The district is about to advertise for bids for restroom upgrades at all the schools and that work will begin as soon as possible.
Using money provided from insurance payments received, the district is in the process of getting new rollup shop doors at the Career and Technology Center and air conditioners for some student work areas.
Belinda Stewart Architects is assisting the school district in obtaining a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to help pay for repairs and painting the Webster County District Office Building (the old Eupora High School building)
The district is also in the process of installing new LED lighting and HVAC controls in all schools to improve energy efficiency.
Mason noted that many people ask about a new gym at Eupora High School (the one at Eupora Elementary is now used).
“We don’t have the funds to build a new gym, however, we are exploring other funding sources that might help us accomplish this,” he stated.
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School Safety
Concerning school safety, the superintendent said the district has been working with local law enforcement and emergency management personnel to address security issues.
Meetings were held in June and July with the Sheriff’s Department, Eupora PD, Mathiston PD and emergency management personnel to prepare for the upcoming school year. They developed plans that include:
• increased law enforcement presence at all schools
• use of schools for local law enforcement response team training
• local law enforcement and other partners providing emergency kits and training to the staff
Federally funded grants provided through the Mississippi Department of Education will pay for a school safety platform by NSide that will result in:
• Digital school safety plans (Emergency Operations Plans)
• Digital maps of campuses and buildings
• Digital photos of the interior of buildings
• A mobile app for emergency notifications for all teachers and staff
Regarding personnel, Mason said all administrators are the same as last year except for Lauren Smith, new Alternative School director/district test coordinator; every school has welcomed new staff members, and the district has placed additional interventionists at every school since the pandemic began.
“We really appreciate the community support that we have in Webster County for our schools,” Mason concluded.
