The Winona School Board met for the last time Tuesday night, as the impending consolidation between the Winona Separate School District and the Montgomery County School District will go into effect July 1, creating the Winona Montgomery Consolidated School District.
The consolidation was mandated by legislation, Mississippi Code 37-7-104.4, which was passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2016.
“It is an honor being the last superintendent of Winona Separate School District and the first superintendent of Winona Montgomery Consolidated School District -- a brand new school district,” Dr. Teresa Jackson, Superintendent of Education, said. “It is challenging, but exciting too.”
Jackson will be joined in leadership of the new consolidated district by the current Winona School Board, Mark Middleton, Cheryl Small, Matt Surrell, and Amy Ware. The Winona School Board will lead the new Winona Montgomery Consolidated District from July 1 until December 31 as dictated by the consolidation legislation. This November, two board members will be elected from Montgomery County and will join three appointed board members, appointed by the Winona Board of Aldermen.
The new Winona Montgomery Consolidated School Board will take the reins of the district on January 1, 2019.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the board accepted the resignation of board member Tonny Seals.
In consolidation news, Jackson presented the board with a copy of a resolution passed by the Mississippi State Board of Education stating, “Pursuant to the statutory mandates in Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-104.4, effective July 1, 2018, the Montgomery County School District is abolished and the new "countywide municipal separate school district" is designated as the "Winona Montgomery Consolidated School District which shall consist of the territory of the former Montgomery County School District and the Winona Municipal Separate School District," and the Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District shall proceed with all action as outlined under law using the new boundaries.”
In addition, Jackson informed the board that there are still three positions open for the 2018-2019 school year. However, so far, the district has filled 55 positions so far – 17 new hires came from the Montgomery County School District, 16 came from the Winona Separate School District, and 20 came from various school districts in the area. Jackson said the open positions were due to some retirements and resignations as well as additional staff needed due to the consolidation.
