North Panola school board hires new principal

By Myra Bean
The North Panola School Board met Thursday afternoon to settle some personnel issues that came after the regular board meeting.
One of the personnel position they filled was North Panola High School Principal. North Panola Jr. High Assistant Principal Keith Powell was the top candidate selected.
Superintendent Cedric Richardson said even though Powell was coming from a “C” school that he interviewed better than the other candidates. One candidate refused the position, according to Richardson, in answer to a question from trustee Troiski Pettis.
There were only three of the five board members present and Pettis was present by phone. Board member Deborah Armstrong-Tucker presided over the meeting.
Board member Darrick Ellis was also present. President Verna Hunter and Vice President Pat Lamar could not attend. Pettis took issue with another item before the board, the creation of a Lead Librarian position with administrative privileges.
This person would oversee summer school for two schools at Como in addition to other duties. There was some question of whether the position was approved with the 2-1 yes vote, but the board lawyer said it passed.
After going into executive session to discuss a couple of personnel issues, the person chosen for the job was stricken from the list of personnel voted on by the board.
Other personnel approved by the board include: Deatrice White, Federal Programs Director, District; Shirley Joy, Librarian, Crenshaw Elementary; and Tanesha Dandridge, Bus Monitor, District.
In other board action, Mike Dorr was approved to attend an electrician workshop in Memphis July 23-26.
The regular board meeting is set for Tuesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m.  in the North Panola High School library.