George Gilreath, who has served as a liaison between the Greenwood Public School District and the state Department of Education, told the school board Tuesday that the district has made progress in addressing outstanding violations of state standards.
The district was placed on probation for multiple violations of state standards but is working on correcting them.
“I think y’all are in good shape on most of these things,” said Gilreath.
Gilreath said that he has recommended that several of the district’s current violations be cleared but that it is taking some time for the MDE to respond to his recommendations.
Tuesday’s board meeting was also Connie Johnson’s last as a board member.
Johnson was appointed to the board in October 2012. Although board members usually serve five-year terms, a former member, Barbara Gray, threw one board seat off schedule by incorrectly serving for six years.
In a statement made to the board, president Bill Clay described Johnson as “the epitome of a board member” and said she had repeatedly displayed “grace under fire” during her tenure.
Clay said that without Johnson’s presence on the board, the district might have either merged with the Leflore County School District or currently be under conservatorship.
Johnson will be replaced by Greenwood businessman Randy Clark, whose nomination was approved by the Greenwood City Council on Tuesday.
Mayor Carolyn McAdams decided not to recommend reappointing Johnson because Johnson is a longtime volunteer with the Greenwood Mentoring Group, which Clay leads.
Also Tuesday:
• Greene told the board that the district is planning to expand wireless access in school buildings over the winter break.
Greene said having district-wide wireless access will enable students and teachers to make better use of technology, such as iPads.
“Infrastructure is very critical as we move towards being more effective with our technology,” said Greene. “It’s one thing to have equipment; it’s another to be able to use it.”
• The board approved the hiring of a new assistant teacher at the alternative school.
Presently, there is no full-time teacher at the alternative school, and the district has been unable to find licensed applicants.
According to a recommendation prepared by Chester Leigh, assistant superintendent, an assistant teacher would be able to help teachers from other schools as they come and go from the alternative school throughout the day.
• The board approved the creation of a second instructor position for the district’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. The district currently employs one instructor but must employ a second to comply with the program’s national guidelines.
• Contact Nick Rogers at 581-7235 or nrogers@gwcommonwealth.com.
