By Rupert Howell
Recently elected North Panola School Board trustees are having their share of meetings as Conservator Robert King has sought additional meetings in the form of “retreat/workshops” to get the new board familiar with their responsibilities.

Retreat/work sessions are scheduled on Mondays, at 6:30 p.m. March 3 and 17 at the central office on Highway 51N in Sardis.

The former board was disbanded during a State Department of Education takeover when a conservator was named to guide the school into compliance.

The district was placed under conservatorship in April, 2008, and last July control was handed back to the district after the state Board of Education found that all deficiencies had been corrected. New trustees were elected in November and installed in January.

The regular monthly meeting is scheduled Monday, March 24 at the library of North Panola High School also at 6:30 p.m.

Trustees agreed during the February meeting to move monthly meeting times back 30 minutes to allow trustees who work away from the area to have ample time to make the meetings on time.

School trustees are mandated to set school policy, hire a superintendent and approve the school’s budget.

The current board is in the process of advertising for applications from candidates for the superintendent’s position whose duties are currently being performed by Conservator King.
King will lead the school district until a new superintendent is in place, probably by July 1 when the district begins a new  fiscal year.