The Carroll County Board of Education Meeting began as always with a prayer, followed by the United States Pledge of Allegiance, and finally the Carroll County School District’s Mission Statement. After the call to order, the Board heard from Vaiden resident Mel Hawthorn concerning his grievances with a recent raise in Section Sixteen tax rates. Hawthorn stated that he had received a letter from the Office of the Super Intendent concerning the increase in rates a few years ago, not stating exactly when. He stated that he had brought his concerns to Super Intendent Joey Carpenter, who directed him to the Section Sixteen Manager. After hitting a dead end, Hawthorn reported he sought advisement from the state level last year and was directed to appeal to the Board of Education.
“So, I’ve come to the Board to present my case,” Hawthorn explained. “My case is very simple… our grocery store closed, several of our businesses closed… so I don’t understand how our taxes can go up.”
Board President John Phillips thanked Hawthorn for bringing his issue before the Board for consideration. The Board did not discuss the issue within the open meeting.
After Hawthorn’s presented his concerns, the meeting agenda and Consent Agenda were approved, and the Board began addressing business. The second item under Business on the agenda, the request for approval to seek assistance from the Carroll County Board of Supervisors in implementing a bus turn-around at 317 County Road 65, was discussed briefly. Super Intendent Joey Carpenter sought Board approval for the request to be presented to the Board of Supervisors. The request was approved with a motion from Board Member William Downs and seconded by Vice President James DeLoach. The request is expected to be presented to the Board of Supervisors sometime between now and their next meeting on May 27.
Immediately following this discussion, the Board addressed the request for approval of the use of the JZ George Gym for a Health Fair put on by the Carroll County Men in Black and Blue Fighting Prostate Cancer on the tentative date of Saturday, September 3, 2024. Board President Phillips, a member of the organization, encouraged participation for all men in the Carroll County area to get attend for health screening services. Board Member and Vaiden Mayor Stella Washington Bell showed interest in having a Health Fair in the Vaiden area as well. President Phillips stated he would relay the request for a Vaiden Health Fair to the organization. The request for the use of the JZ George Gym for the Health Fair was approved on a motion from Board Member Bell and seconded by Board Member Teresa Vanlandingham with all in favor.
After the discussion of regular business, the Board addressed financial statements, then moved on to Personnel matters. The Board approved the hiring of three recommended certified employees, one for Marshall Elementary, one for JZ George High School, and one for the Central Office. In addition, they approved the adjustment of one recommended certified employee, the adjustment of one at-will employee, and the hiring of one at-will employee (a bus driver). The Board approved resignations and the Supplemental Agreements for the 2024-2025 school year. Following this, they briefly discussed the approval of new positions. Super Intendent Joey Carpenter explained that the roles of certain employees had been broadened beyond what they were initially hired for and in result the positions needed to be redefined.
“Duties these two have taken on for a few years now have not been compensated for and I think it’s time for that to happen,” Super Intendent Carpenter stated.
The new positions were approved on a motion from Board Member Downs, seconded by Vice President DeLoach, with all in favor.
During the meeting, the Board commended Carroll Academy and JZ George students for their hard work and dedication in their athletic fields. Board Member Teresa Vanlandingham expressed great pride in the students and their accomplishments.
“What they’ve done over the last two or three years has been very amazing, and we congratulate them for making it to the state,” President Phillips encouraged.
In other news the Board:
• Approved the meeting agenda and the addition of assessing bus bids during the business section of the evening’s agenda.
• Agreed to adopt the Consent Agenda which included: a Review of Policies – Section S Students JAA-JCCA, Approval of Board minutes for March 21, 2024, and April 11, 2024, meetings, Approval of Overtime and Extra Pay for March 2024, Reviewing the Calendar Policy and Updating for the 2024-2025 School Year, Reviewing the District’s Final OSA Report Posted to the OSA Website, and Approval of a donation for the Archery team.
• Approved of Emergency Weather School Closing and Pay for inclement weather on April 11, 2024.
• Tabled the discussion of the purchase of a Cargo Trailer for a later meeting, due to uncertainty if quote given included taxes.
• Approved Special Education software and workbooks.
• Approved the attendance of the Mississippi Association for Career and Technical Education Conference.
• Accepted the highest bid for two buses from JJ Merchant for an undisclosed amount.
• Approved Financial statements and claims.
• Agreed to the deletion of one air compressor under the Fix Assets section of the agenda.
• Did not accept the request for Section Sixteen Lease.
• Approved the set minimal bid for a Sixteen Section Leases, Advertising of Sixteenth Section Land to Lease, and Assignment of a Sixteenth Section Lease.
• Witnessed Super Intendent Carpenter present Board Clerk Don Wade with a Certificate of Appreciation for Administrative Assistants and Board Clerks Appreciation Week, April 22-28, 2024.
