The Webster County School Board has filled two upcoming administrator vacancies.
The first was that of Webster County Career and Technology Center/transportation director. Michael Adkins is retiring from those positions effective June 30; the board accepted his retirement notice Feb. 13.
March 20 meeting minutes show Superintendent James Mason recommended that Josh Alford be approved as WCCTC/transportation director, effective July 1. The three board members present voted 3-0 to approve the recommendation.
The second upcoming vacancy was filled during a special meeting the afternoon of March 23.
Records show Mason presented a recommendation for Chip Powell to transfer from Eupora Elementary School to Eupora High School principal, effective July 1. The board voted 5-0 to approve the recommendation.
Powell will succeed Adam Dillinger, whose resignation was accepted Feb. 13 and is effective June 30. The principal recommendation was the only item on the agenda.
Residency Issues
The board met in executive session March 20 to discuss two student residency issues, minutes state. “Residency 1” concerned an appeal to remain enrolled at East Webster schools.
After hearing from parents and following some discussion, the board voted 3-0 to, “in the best interest of the students, allow the students to remain enrolled for the remainder of the school year so as to create less disruption for them, with the understanding that the students must attend school in the proper location in the 2023-2024 school year.”
“Residency 2” concerned an appeal to remain enrolled in the district.
After hearing from a parent and following some discussion, the board voted 3-0 to, “in the best interest of the students, allow the students to remain enrolled for the remainder of the school year so as to create less disruption for them, with the understanding that the students will not be allowed to attend school in the same residence for the 2023-2024 school year. This is all contingent on verbal approval from the superintendent of Choctaw County Schools.”
Consent Agenda
These items were approved as a part of the March 20 Consent Agenda:
• The minutes of the regular meeting held Feb. 13.
• The amended 2022-23 school calendar.
• A 16th Section lease for Scott McGarr.
• The resignation of Raven Barnett, special education director, effective June 30.
• The resignation of Dee Denman, East Webster Elementary School teacher, effective June 30, and the retirement of Sheila Kirkman, EWES teacher, effective May 25.
• The transfer of Aubrey Ramer, EHS secretary, to EHS teacher; the transfer of Leigh Johnson, EHS interventionist, to EHS teacher; and the transfer of Heather Vail, East Webster Elementary assistant teacher, to EWES teacher, all effective Aug. 1.
• The transfer of Mindy Dixon, EHS secretary, to WCCTC/transportation secretary, effective June 12.
• Amanda Gilliland as a long-term substitute teacher, effective March 21.
• Various donations
Other Matters
Assistant Principal Jason Smith of East Webster High School introduced Eden McGinnis as the board’s Student of the Month for March.
Mason introduced each principal, who then presented awards to the teachers at their schools who received awards for exceptional growth from PREPS (Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools). A related article and photos were published March 31.
Additionally, the board approved motions to:
• Hire Hillary Lovorn as a teacher at EES, Kinsey Chesser as a teacher at East Webster Elementary School and Kaylie Banks as a teacher at East Webster High School, all effective Aug. 1.
• Approve Rob Ray as maintenance/custodian at EES.
• Hire Merrin Powell, Landon Powell, Makayla Garrison and Amy Sorrell as substitute teachers, effective March 21.
• Approve financial reports and the docket of claims.
The March 20 meeting was held at East Webster High School in Cumberland with these board members present: Marilynn Brown of District 4, who presided as vice president; Daniel Bingham of District 1 and Gabby Davis of District 5.
On March 23, Mason and Lydia McCrory, superintendent’s secretary, were present in the superintendent’s office while all five board members were present via conference call, according to the minutes.
The board was to meet again April 17 at Eupora High School and next meets at 6 p.m. May 8 at East Webster Elementary School, when the April minutes will be approved.
