McLeod Approved for RCES Principal, Extention Granted to Boys, Girls Club

Courtsey of WRBE, "Your Hometown Radio"
The George County Board of Education met on two nights this week, first on Monday night to address regular agenda items and then again on Tuesday to discuss and approve the 2007-08 School System Budget.
On Monday, Superintendent of Education Donnie Howell introduced Roger McLeod to the board as the recommended new principal for Rocky Creek Elementary.
McLeod, originally from Greene County, has worked in administration on every level for 26 years, the past five in Choctaw, Mississippi. His wife is also an educator.
The Board member questioned McLeod extensively, before approving him for the position. McLeod assured the board that he planned to be with the school system six to ten years and his priority was to educate the children and support the teachers. He told the board that his past career records would show an increase in state test scores during his tenures of administration, but said “It's not about the test scores, it's about educating the children.”
New School Resource Officers Al Hillman and Jason Smith were also introduced to the board and George Regional Hospital Administrator Paul Gardner was finally given the go ahead for new hospital construction on what is now the walking tract and the George County Middle School. Many detains are yet to be worked out, but Gardner can move forward with appropriate paperwork for the proposed project.
The George County chapter of the Boys and Girls Club was given another extension for use of the Lucedale Intermediate School, until December 31. Boys and Girls Club Representative Sue Wright told the board that it was possible that the Club could secure property with the assistance of a large corporation in the area, but the project was still in the beginning stages and was too soon to give a definite information.
Concern Citizen Raleigh Sargent questioned the board members on why the kitchen portion of Lucedale Intermediate School had been closed. Superintendent Howell and Food Service Director Debbie Tillman assured Sargent that the students would still receive fresh, hot meals everyday, served from the stream tables just as they have in the past. The meals would just be prepared at Lucedale Elementary and then taken to LIS with specialized equipment.
Tillman explained that the kitchen had to be shut down due to health concerns and to renovated the entire kitchen would be a great cost to the school district. Tillman said due to such a small number of students at both schools, the state recommended closing the kitchen and cooking at an alternate site, which would be LES. Tillman said she had researched the recommendations and spoke with other schools in the district in which the program was in place and felt it was the best solution to the problem.
At the recommendation of George County High School Head Coach Al Jones, the board voted to approve increasing the price of “season tickets” from $50 to $60 for adult passes. Jones also gave updates on the new soccer field project and drainage at the high school football field.
George County High School Principal Paul Wallace reported that the new “no tolerance” cell phone policy would be in the student handbooks and a copy would also be given to parents at pre-registration.
Before adjourning, the board set the next regular agenda meeting for Thursday, August 2.
On Tuesday, the board members reviewed the 2007-08 school budget with Business Manager Stu Whites and approved the estimated $ 38,976, 914 budget. Whites explained that the budget had increase by approximately 5%, but for the first time in two years would operate in the black. Whites said several new job positions increased the budget, along with an increase in salaries, but the school district received increased revenues this year which balanced the extra expenses. The board member discussed researching more efficient and energy-saving power needs, and possibly even setting up a later meeting with Singing River Electrical Power Association Officials and also researching possible re-wiring projects.
A complete budget will run in a future issue of the George County Times for public review.