The Choctaw Plaindealer

Resignation, recommendations and requests dominated the May Board of Education meeting.

The meeting started off with a request from Mississippi Lignite Mine and Mike Thomas concerning a surface lease of 16-section land. After answering questions about the specifics of a possible surface lease, Thomas requested the board vote to move forward with the leasing process.

The board did vote to proceed with process, which includes advertising for bids and obtaining state forms required for a lease of this caliber. Since 16-section land has yet to be leased this way, the State department and involved parties will work together to draft a form authorizing the surface lease.

Before reviewing the consent agenda the board learned of Steve Wright's resignation from his position as the Board of Education attorney. His resignation was effective immediately. He informed the board he regretfully resigned from the position after serving nearly 15 years as the School Board attorney.

Arlene Amos, Superintendent of Education, then informed the board that due to the absence of a Board Attorney the board would be unable to conduct any parts of the meeting in executive session. Meaning the board would not be able to approve salaries, supplements and salary scales of certain personnel for the 2007-08 school year as originally scheduled, because personnel matters may only be discussed in executive session.

After approving the consent and financial agenda, with the exception of approval of one item pertaining to salaries, Johnnie Henderson, French Camp Elementary Principal addressed the board.

The subject she addressed pertained to a personnel matter and typically would have been conducted in an executive session, but unable to go into executive session she addressed the board during the open meeting.

According to Henderson, the secretary at French Camp Elementary, Nedra Rushing, was dismissed from her duties for violating the internet user agreement.

She went on to state that Rushing did not learn she was violating the policy by shopping on-line, until after the fact. She also stated that other employees are warned about improper internet usage before being dismissed, but Rushing did not receive a warning. After learning she violated the policy she was asked to sign an acceptable use policy but refused to sign at the time.

During her address to the board, Henderson requested Rushing be reinstated as the secretary at FCE for the remainder of the year and then be allowed to resign from the position. The board took no on the action concerning the matter and Rushing's dismissal remained in place. The board then adjourned.

During a special board meeting on Thursday, May 17, the board voted to hire Kevin Null as its new Board Attorney.

The next Board of Education meeting will take place on Monday, June 4.

Items approved on the May 14 meeting consent agenda include:

Approved resignation of Katherine Black as Special Populations Coordinator at the Choctaw County Career and Technology Center for 2006-07 school year.

Approved recommendation of Freddie King to Transfer Brenda King to replace Katherine Black as Special Populations Coordinator for the 2007-08 school year.

Approved recommendation of Glen Blaine to hire Leigh Johnson as fourth grade teacher at Ackerman Elementary School for the 2007-08 school year.

Approved resignation of Henry Stephenson as Janitor at Ackerman High School effective May 11, 2007.

Approved recommendation of Morgan Scribner to hire Kelvin D. Triplett as Janitor at Ackerman High School to replace Henry Stephenson.

Approved resignation of Tina Nunn as a teacher at Ackerman Elementary School effective March 31, 2007.

Approved recommendation of Glen Blaine to hire Jean Maree Mcculloch as long-term sub until the end of the 2006-07 school year and as a second grade teacher for the 2007-08 school year to replace Tina Nunn, who resigned.

Approved resignation of Ada Dotson as cafeteria cook at French Camp Elementary for the 2007-08 school year.

Approved request from Ronda Huffman to hire Harold Boler as Band Director at Ackerman High School for the 2007-08 school year to replace Wayne McDonald.

Approved request from Ronda Huffman to hire Christina McDaniel as a Science Teacher at Ackerman High School for the 2007-08 school year to replace Shelia Cagle.

Approved request from Ronda Huffman to hire Michael Knight as Teacher/Assistant Coach at Ackerman High School for the 2007-08 school year to replace Richard Booker.

Approved transfer of Shaston Coleman from special education assistant at Ackerman High School to Teacher/Coach at Ackerman High School to fill the vacancy of Jim Rhodes who is transferring to French Camp Elementary.

Approved one-year interim certificate on Shaston T. Coleman.

Approved request from Ronda Huffman to hire Michael Montgomery as a special education assistant to replace Shaston Coleman.