The Webster County School Board has extended Superintendent Brian Jones’ contract by one year.
Board President Bobby McMullen (District 1) recommended the board extend Jones’ existing contract by one year, according to minutes of its Feb. 5 meeting.
The board approved a motion to do so 4-0; Jimmy Hood (District 3) was absent. Jones started July 1 as the district’s first appointed superintendent.
Additionally that night, each principal introduced the selected Teacher of the Year from their school and presented them with an award. The teachers recognized were Margaret Nichols from East Webster Elementary School, Judy Stroud from Eupora Elementary School, Buck Meek from the Webster County Career and Technology Center, Teresa Whitaker from Eupora High School and Carolyn Henley from East Webster High School.
Jones recognized Whitaker as District Teacher of the Year and Michael Adkins, director of the Webster County Career and Technology Center, as District Administrator of the Year. He also serves as transportation director.
Jones and the board also heard a report from each principal concerning test data and current events at each school, the minutes state.
In other reports from Jones, records show the superintendent:
• discussed with the board a request to renew and transfer an expired 16th Section residential lease in order to keep a house built on the property in a family. The board agreed to do so as this is not a new lease. No action was taken.
• notified the board that he would be attending a meeting for new superintendents on Feb. 7.
• notified the board that the EHS Beta Club would attend the state Beta Convention in Biloxi Feb. 19-21. No action was necessary.
Other Action
Other action taken by the board on Feb. 5:
• Approved a request from Jones to grant additional administrative leave with pay for all professional, certified and classified employees in consideration of the declared emergency school closures on Jan. 12 and Jan. 16-19 (partial day) because of extreme winter weather.
• Approved a request from Adkins to establish a new program at the WCCTC, Teacher Academy.
• Approved a request for student enrollment.
• Accepted a letter of resignation from Gina Sanderson from her position as special education director effective June 1. She is retiring.
• Accepted a letter of resignation from Melinda Allen from her position as teacher at Eupora High School effective June 1. She is retiring.
• Accepted a letter of resignation from Katie Simpson from her position as cafeteria worker effective Jan. 22.
• Approved a recommendation to hire Kimberly Vaughn as a long-term substitute teacher at East Webster High School effective Feb. 1.
• Approved an out-of-state field trip request for the Eupora Elementary School gifted class to go to the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis in February.
• Approved a request for the Eupora High School Beta Club to sell chances on a “Date Night” giveaway as a fundraiser.
• Accepted a donation of $1,678.19 from the EHS Lady Eagle Softball Boosters to the EHS softball program.
• Approved the school calendar for 2018-19.
Before adjourning, the board went into executive discussion to discuss a personnel issue. No action was taken, according to the minutes.
Board members met at the WCCTC. The board was to meet again Feb. 15 and its next regular meeting is March 19. Spring break is March 12-16.
