By Billy Davis

North Panola conservator Robert King will hold community meetings at three area schools beginning next week, the school district has announced.

King will hold his first “community briefing” Monday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at North Panola High. The briefing will follow a regular school board meeting planned for that same night at 6 p.m.

“Mr. King will brief parents and community members on areas concerning the district and answer questions related to the education of our students,” said district spokesman Mack Dandridge.

The second community meeting is set for that same week, on Wednesday, July 27 at Como Junior High.

The third meeting is set for Thursday, August 11 at Crenshaw Elementary.

The meetings at Como and at Crenshaw are both at 6 p.m.

King’s stated plan to meet with parents and others follows a similar strategy by his predecessor, Dr. Oscar Love, who held a community meeting last November.

Love used the meeting, which was held at the high school, to announce renovation plans for school buildings in the district.

Before he departed, Love had pressed for building renovations across the district and North Panola trustees passed a resolution to borrow $2.2 million for the repairs.

King took over as conservator in April and is moving forward with Love’s plans to improve the high school and the junior high.  

King has said in recent months that improved student achievement is the key to moving North Panola from control of the Miss. Department of Education.

Two years into a state takeover, test scores have climbed off the bottom at four of five schools in the district, which also moved the school district moved from “Failing” to “Academic Watch.”

The new conservator said in June his goal is to “work my way out of a job” by overseeing improved student achievement.