Today and tomorrow all schools in the North Panola School District will conduct registration for all students for the 2005-2006 school.

Times for registration will be from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day at each school in the district.

Students who will be returning to the district will only need to provide two proofs of residence at the time of registration. First-time students who will be enrolling in the district must bring the following: 1.) withdrawal form from the previous school, 2.) copy of birth certificate, 3.) Mississippi Immunization Record 4.) copy of Social Security card and two proofs of residence.

All staff persons will report to North Panola High School at 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 4, 2005 to begin the 2005-2006 school year. The first day for students will be Monday, August 8.
  

To help beat the summer heat, some Batesville residents might consider installing a swimming pool.

If they do, they should stop at Batesville’s Code Enforcement Office for a permit.

"There are a lot of people out there that don’t realize they have to get a permit before they put in a pool," Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Burnett said.

Burnett said before a permit is issued, various compliance factors must be considered. Those include:
     – Size of the pool
     – Water depth
     – Location
     – Electrical/grounding procedures.

"We know there have been some pools put in where people did not get the permits," he said. "We have sent out seven awareness letters letting the owners know they need to have the pool inspected.

"When a person puts in a pool without getting the proper permits, they are taking some big risks," Burnett said.

"One of the biggest risks they face is electrocution."

Burnett said in-ground pools in the city limits are required to be fenced in, while above-ground pools are not.

"The reason for that is the above-ground pools are harder for children and animals to get into," he said. "There is a lower risk of drowning."

Code Enforcement Officer John McCollum said owners of the pools need to make sure they are properly maintained.

"There are some pools out there that the water has been in so long it has turned black," he said. "What people don’t understand is that can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

"If an owner is not going to properly take care of the pool, they should drain it rather than just letting the water stand," McCollum added.
    

North Panola High School introduced its new principal Friday morning.

Lucinda Carter, a 17 year administrator, was chosen to replace John Sullivan, who is now in the Shaw School District. She comes from the Clarksdale school system.

Sullivan gave up the principal position to move closer to home, according to North Panola superintendent Robert Massey.

Though Massey said they hated to lose Sullivan, they are excited about having Carter on board.

North Panola is at a Level 2 status in the state.

"We feel with Ms. Carter coming on board, she has the expertise and knowledge to move this school to a Level 3 or higher," Massey said. "She has demonstrated that in the other schools she has worked in."

Carter’s resume shows that students have achieved high levels at her former schools, according to Massey.

"She walks softly and carries a big stick," Massey said. "Her expectations are high. They match ours."

Carter has the distinction of being the first woman in recent history to hold the top reigns at North Panola High School.

She said she felt she could do this job.

"I love a challenge," Carter said. "I believe with my skills, my background and my ability to communicate with people, I can get the job done."