Attorney Paul Moore, Jr. told the Calhoun County School Board Monday night they had 13 applicants thus far for the superintendent’s position with another week before the March 30 deadline.
“Two of those are from out of state,” Moore said. “The rest are all from Mississippi, mostly pretty close to us.”
All of the applications are being sent to Moore’s law office address, and he is collecting them for the board.
Board President Will Fleming asked the board if they wanted to sort through them or set a work session for a different night to begin looking at them. The board agreed to wait until next week, after the deadline, in case some more come in.
Paul Moore Jr.
They tentatively set a work session for Monday, April 2 at 6 p.m., noting they may need to change that because Financial Officer Jo Clanton also needed to have a special meeting with the board to go over budget proposals for the new year.
“We’ll see if she’s available Monday to do all of that at the same meeting or if not we can set something up later,” Fleming said.
In other news, Supt. Jean Ann Casey said USDA officials were in the county last week to perform a “food service audit” at Vardaman High School.
“They pick two schools in every state for this audit and Vardaman High School was one they chose,” Casey said. “They stayed four days with our MDE auditors. It was a deeper audit than we normally would have had with a lot of pressure on (Food Service Director) Leigh Moore, but they bragged and bragged and bragged and said lots of nice things about our district and the work our food service is doing.”
Don Hardin, complimented Supt. Casey for her work at the end of the meeting.
“I’ve had several principals and staff really compliment you on the communication throughout the school district and the work you’re doing with them,” Hardin said. “I thank you so much for stepping in and taking this on.”
“It’s actually been fun,” Supt. Casey said. “I did not think I would enjoy it, but it has been fun and I appreciate the kind words.”
Other items approved by the board:
•District Science Fair winners were recognized – Thomas Lordeon, Caleb Moore, Ivan Gonzalez, Diamond Campbell, Chloe Clements, Mose Gore, Bre Miller, Jenna Beth Peden, Austin Plunk, Carter Reeves, Conner Shelton, Michael Tovar, Jace Tutor, Lily Kate Tutor and Ava D’Auvergne.
•BES Principal introduced the officers of his new P-16 Council that will provide community input on things they can improve on at the school – President Jay Vanlandingham, Vice President Becky Wright and Secretary Rita Talford.
•The board denied a transfer request for Meggan Reeder to move from Vardaman to Bruce High to finish the school year. The board had previously granted a request to allow her to transfer to Bruce at the start of next school year, but declined to let her make the change now upon the recommendation of Supt. Casey who stated the schools have started review for state testing, and a move now could disrupt the academic process.
•Authorized Career Center Director Kyle Clark to apply for a $50,000 grant for virtual reality equipment. The grant doesn’t require a local match.
•Approved all certified and non-certified employees for 2018-19.
•Personnel moves – Angela Barnette, Melany Taylor, Ramona Smith and Kathy Hamilton are all retiring effective June 30; Charlsie Lucius will transfer to SpEd assistant position vacated by Hamilton; Mandy Moore will transfer into SpEd assistant position vacated by Lucius; Brandon Lovorn, Lindsay Hastings and Stephanie Hardin all resigning as teachers; Autumn Baker resigning as teacher assistant; Laura Brower transferring from BHS Counselor to newly created Career Pathway Coach position at Career Center; Janie York resigned as cafeteria worker.