By Rupert Howell

North Panola School trustees placed a cornerstone in that school district’s foundation Tuesday night when they named Cedric Richardson superintendent.

The district has been without a superintendent since the state took over the district in 2009 for low performance on standardized test.

The district has been under conservatorship since with Robert King serving the past fews years as conservator.

“I feel the board has made a good choice in allowing you to lead this district,” King told Richardson at Tuesday’s meeting, “I think he will be an asset to this district,” King said earier.

King also confirmed that the new board had just made the most important decision they would ever make.

Richardson is no stranger to North Panola. Most recently he served one year in the district office in Holly Springs after serving as high school principal there for five years. Prior to that he served as assistant principal at Senatobia five years, and taught three years in the Memphis City School system, and two years in North Panola District at Como where he taught algebra and math as well as coaching football and track.

A four-year Army veteran, Richardson served in the Persion Gulf War  during 1990-1991. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ole Miss.

Married to the former Shunnon Strickland of Como, they have a daughter and two sons.

Richardson said Tuesday night that his objectives were to put children first, use data to drive the school district forward and to prepare to meet challenges of Common Core by making sure students achieve at a high level.

Trustee board members gave Richardson assurances of their support following a closed session concerning his contract. At the request of King, Richardson will  have four contracted days to become more familiar with the district prior to his employment date which will begin July 1.