WINONA -- After discussion by the Montgomery County School Board, the Montgomery County High School Class of 2018 will graduate in the gymnasium not the school’s auditorium as was originally planned.
School Board President Al White and Board Member Evelyn Baskin said the received concerned calls from parents in the district about the auditorium not being conducive to all guests planning to attend the graduation. The board voted to move graduation to the gymnasium.
Superintendent of Education Wendy Hubbard told the board she would look for mats to roll onto the gym floor to protect it during the event. In addition, she said she would check into renting large fans and/or temporary air conditioning units to cool the gym during commencement exercises.
The Class of 2018 will graduate May 18 at 8 p.m.
In other business:
The Montgomery County School Board selected its representative on the Winona Montgomery Consolidated School District Advisory Board, a body forming at the recommendation of Department of Justice representatives to ease the consolidation process.
Members are Jasmine Salley, student; Kolandty Williams, parent; Kenneth Gore, parent; Lane Townsend, teacher; Dorothy Woods, special education teacher; Edna Eugenia Collins, community member; Sammie McCaskill, higher education.
Back in April, representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice met with leaders from both Winona and Montgomery County school districts and recommended the creation of an advisory board – made up of a facilitator and 14 members – to advise Dr. Teresa Jackson, superintendent of education for the Winona Montgomery Consolidated School District, in academics, extra-curricular activities, culture and community issues, and school improvements. The board will also assist the district in solving transportation problems, discipline concerns, and health issues.
Litigation filed by the Montgomery County School District to stop the consolidation is still awaiting court action. However, the appointment of members to the advisory board by the school board is contingent on the consolidation taking place on July 1, 2018, as mandated by the consolidation bill.
• The board honored the Montgomery County boys basketball team for their 2017-2018 stellar season in which the team advanced to the quarterfinals of the state basketball tournament. Players and Coach Frank Miller received a certificate of recognition at the meeting and was treated to a reception in their honor.
• Hubbard informed the board of $23,000 the district received in recognition of its teachers’ hard work in improving test scores this past year.
