The principal of Eupora High School is resigning after one year in the position.
Lance Bolen’s resignation was on the agenda of a special meeting of the Webster County School Board at 8:30 a.m. March 26.
Superintendent Brian Jones presented a personnel action form and letter of resignation indicating that Bolen is resigning from his position as principal at EHS effective June 30, minutes reflect. The board accepted the resignation.
Bolen has served as EHS principal since July 1 and is completing his 20th year in education. He came here from the Pascagoula-Gautier School District in Jackson County, where he served as the director of transportation for two years.
Also during the special meeting, the board accepted a letter of resignation from East Webster High School teacher Laura Riggs effective May 24.
Board members Bobby McMullen (president), Marilynn Brown and Jimmy Hood were present, along with Milton Davis and Rana Mitchell via telephone, the minutes indicate.
March 18
At the regular monthly meeting March 18, the minutes state Jones announced board attorney Hugh Gibson would address the board concerning legal matters, which the board went into executive session to discuss. While in executive session, according to the minutes, the board voted to hire Mockbee Hall and Drake as outside counsel for possible litigation.
The board had voted March 4 to approve the superintendent’s plan to seek professional opinion from outside counsel while in another executive session concerning legal matters.
Members of the Eupora High School Alumni Association addressed the board March 18 regarding completed and future projects concerning the preservation of the historic high school building. The association’s annual meeting will be at 2 p.m. May 4 at Latham Auditorium.
Sue Anne Boatman, Federal Programs directors, addressed the board regarding plans for a Pre-K program at both elementary schools.
Jones addressed the board regarding projected student numbers and teacher unit requirements for the upcoming school year. He also presented an attendance and discipline report for each school for the school year to date.
In other business March 18, minutes show the board:
• recognized the Webster County Board of Education Students of the Month for February and March. They were Eupora Elementary’s Jackson Buss for February and East Webster Elementary’s Zach Mosley for March.
• after Jones presented a section of the board policy manual for review, approved the policies as presented. The policies were initially presented at the previous meeting in order for the board members and superintendent to review. Jones also presented another section of the board policy manual for review on March 18. No action was necessary.
• voted to advertise for depository bids for the district for fiscal year 2020.
• accepted a letter of resignation from East Webster High School librarian Angie Blake effective May 31. She is retiring.
• approved a bus turnaround on the property of Carl Manus at 2874 Greensboro Road.
• approved a request for East Webster Elementary School to have a STEM carnival/festival as a fundraiser.
• accepted these donations: Eupora Elementary School PTO to EES (for Chromebooks), Eupora Eagles Tennis Booster Club to the EHS tennis team (two separate donations), Eupora Lady Eagle Softball Booster Club to the Webster County School District (softball field renovations) and to the EHS softball program, and EWHS Band Boosters to the EWHS band (for championship rings)
• approved Jill Robinson as a long-term substitute teacher at East Webster High School from March 28-May 24.
• approved financial reports and the docket of claims.
McMullen, Brown, Hood and Mitchell were present March 18. The board was to also meet April 8 and Monday (to pay bills). The next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. May 13.
