Robert Strebeck, the state-appointed conservator for the Leflore County School District, moved quickly this morning to take over the operations of the 2,700-student district.
Pete Smith, a spokesman for the state Department of Education, said Strebeck met with Dr. Viola Williams McCaskill, Leflore County superintendent of education, at around 8:20 a.m. and presented her with a copy of the executive order for the takeover, issued by Gov. Phil Bryant.
The move included the removal of McCaskill, who was in her first term as superintendent, and all five members of the county school board.
Accompanying Strebeck is Dr. Bill Welch from the state Department of Education’s office of conservatorship.
At 6 tonight, Strebeck will hold a 30-minute community meeting at the Amanda Elzy Junior High School Gymnasium. It will be open to everyone, and Strebeck will talk about “where we are and where we are going,” Smith said.
There will be no formal question-and-answer period at the meeting, but Strebeck will be available to talk to parents and other stakeholders privately afterward.
This morning’s action followed a unanimous state Supreme Court decision last week lifting an injunction that had been issued by Hinds County Circuit Judge Winston Kidd, which had blocked the takeover.
Based on state tests, the district has received an “F” on the state’s A-F accountability model for two consecutive years. In addition, all five Leflore County schools that are assigned accountability grades have received F’s this year, one more than last year.
Shortly before 9 this morning, Strebeck met with the district’s central office staff. More meetings with teachers and staff were scheduled today, Smith said.
Strebeck most recently served as conservator in the Aberdeen School District for more than a year, Smith said.
