The Calhoun County School Board discussed a few parameters in play as they continue their search for the county’s next school superintendent at a special called meeting Monday.
Board President Will Fleming said he spoke with Dr. Michael Waldrop with the Mississippi School Board Association (MSBA) who said it would cost approximately $2,000 for MSBA to validate resumes and perform background checks on applicants for the position, depending on how many apply.
Will Fleming
“He couldn’t give any hard figures because it could be more or less depending on how much we need them to do,” Fleming said.
The board received verification that the job had been listed with the MSBA, Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, and Mississippi Department of Education.
“We haven’t received any new applications yet,” Attorney Paul Moore Jr. said. “But I think it would be next week before we start getting a response.”
“I think it may be after spring break before they all start coming in,” Fleming said.
The board intends to accept applications until the end of March. They also noted they prefer stipulations that the person chosen must live in the county and that they weren’t as interested in receiving any applications from out-of-state.
Sup. Jean Ann Casey asked the board’s position on out-of-state candidates saying she had a couple of inquiries from potential applicants.
The board also discussed their tentative agreement to pay between $97,000-$107,000.
“We would evaluate that based on merit,” Fleming said.
“We want some flexibility in there,” Bubba Weeks said.
The board’s next meeting is Monday, March 26. Fleming said Tommie Henderson with MSBA would be available to come to that meeting to answer any other questions.
In other news from the meeting, the board approved a Workforce Readiness Proposal for Three Rivers Planning and Development. It’s a new program in which 10 “at-risk” students in the county are identified and given specialized training to help improve their opportunities to find and retain employment.
Sup. Jean Ann Casey explained how the prospective students are chosen:
•They must be a free or reduced lunch student and one of the following,
•GPA below 2.5, English Language Learner student, homeless or a runaway, Foster child, pregnant or parenting child, or youth with disabilities.
Casey said the class they attend focuses on work ethic, personal finance, helping them prepare for ACT Work Keys test, getting them 60 hours of paid work experience, 12 months of follow-up and more.
The program is funded through Three Rivers. There is no cost to the district.
The board also approved the creation of a Career Pathway Coach. This teaching unit will be paid with vocational funds and be hosted at the Career Center.
Casey explained the position will require a counselor endorsement and is similar to “graduation coaches” used in other districts. The teacher will track students from middle school through high school and help the local counselors at each school.
“I know they’ve had great success with the graduation coach (at Houston),” Board President Will Fleming said.
The county has already been approved for the position by the Mississippi Department of Education.