The Webster County School Board discussed legal matters during an executive session last month.
The board went into executive session May 13 after Superintendent Brian Jones announced board attorney Hugh Gibson would address the members concerning legal matters. No action was taken, according to minutes of the meeting.
The minutes reflect that Jim Young then addressed the board concerning financial matters. No action was taken.
Additionally, and as previously reported, the board approved the hiring of Adam Dillinger as principal of Eupora High School effective July 1. He previously served as assistant principal and athletic director. Dillinger will succeed Lance Bolen, who is leaving to become principal of a middle school in Wiggins.
Jones informed the board that the East Webster High School Tennis Boosters had secured a grant to partially pay for resurfacing the school’s tennis courts. The board approved his request that the district provide funding to complete the project. The board voted in April to commit to a dollar amount matching the grant.
Other Action
Other action taken by the board on May 13:
• Recognized Kylie Richardson of Eupora High School as the Webster County Board of Education Student of the Month for April and Lauren Graves of East Webster High School as Student of the Month for May.
• Heard an attendance and discipline report for each school for the school year to date from Jones.
• Approved Section B of the board policy manual. The policies were initially presented at a previous meeting for review. Jones also presented Section C of the board policy manual for review; no action was necessary.
• Approved the 2019-20 district statement of title (federal programs) assurances.
• Approved the 2019-20 district statement of assurances for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Special Education).
• Approved the Special Education Extended School Year application for summer 2019.
• Approved the Professional Development Report for 2018-19 and Professional Development Plan for 2019-20.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Mississippi Department of Education for the Educator in Residence program through Kenny Gibson and Elisa Brooks.
• Approved the superintendent’s request to close the “Debt Service Fund” with Bank of Kilmichael effective June 30. The remaining funds will be paid out to Webster County Schools.
•Approved the superintendent’s request to open a new bank account named “Debt Service Fund” with CB&S Bank effective July 1.
• Voted to close all district offices July 3-5 in observance of the July 4 holiday.
• Approved resolutions congratulating two members of the Eupora and East Webster High School powerlifting teams for winning state titles in their respective weight classes. They were Edwin Herard at EHS and Camron Jennings at EWHS. Stephen Edwards and Brandon Haynes are the powerlifting coaches at the respective schools.
• Approved a recommendation from Child Nutrition Director Amy Rollins to increase the student lunch price to $2.85 and adult lunch price to $3.50 for the upcoming school year.
• Approved the hiring of Jacob Jackson as assistant band director at East Webster High School effective Aug. 1. The board voted in April to add the position because of increased participation in the band program. The position will also include chorus.
• Approved the hiring of classified staff for the 2019-20 school year.
• Approved substitute bus drivers for 2019-20.
• Approved Gavin Edwards, Tyrik Pittman, Avery Tollison, Garrett Crimm and Steve Gardner as summer workers.
• Approved the hiring of Teresa Whitaker, Courtney Pilgrim, Thad Walker, Kayla Carpenter and Halee McMinn as certified staff for the upcoming school year.
• Approved a revised classified school secretary salary scale for 2019-20.
• Approved salaries for administrators, department heads and principals for the 2019-20 school year.
• Approved salaries for classified personnel for the 2019-20 school year.
• Approved prorated salaries for 2019-20 for the director of special services, supervisor-Special Education, psychometrist-Special Education and Federal Programs secretary/bookkeeper.
• Accepted letters of resignation from Haley Harrison, Nora Hammons, Kris Parsons and Leslie Faulkenbery from their positions as teachers effective June 30.
• Accepted a letter of resignation from Susan Thompson from her position as Eupora High School bookkeeper and district transportation secretary effective June 30. She is retiring.
• Accepted a letter of resignation from Beverly Hughes from her position as EHS secretary and records clerk effective June 14. She is retiring.
• Approved Letha Johnson as a substitute teacher at EHS.
• Approved a school lunch account refund request.
• Approved a request for the East Webster High School band to attend a drum and bugle competition in Memphis, Tenn., in July.
• Accepted donations to the EWHS powerlifting, athletic and baseball programs, and to the EHS tennis and softball programs.
• Approved Courtney O’Briant as summer custodian at EWHS.
• Approved asset disposals, financial reports for April and the May docket of claims.
Jimmy Hood (District 3) was absent. The board adjourned until June 10, when the May minutes were approved.
