By Rupert Howell

South Panola Schools Superintendent Dr. Keith Shaffer was given a one-year extension which gives him four years on his contract during the Tuesday, February 16 meeting of the South Panola School District Board of Trustees.

Coach Trey Dickerson’s resignation was accepted along with Batesville Elementary School assistant Sheila Roebuck.

Ernistine Smallie was hired as BES housekeeper and Bruce Campbell and Cindy Lloyd were both hired as bus drivers.

Personnel Director/Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeremiah Burks presented recommendations and resignations as well as recommending two students for expulsion. Burks explained that neither student had asked for a hearing to contest the expulsion recommendation.

School principals gave brief reports during Tuesday’s meeting with Batesville Elementary School Principal LaSherry Irby letting trustees know of the big event coming up when applicants would line up to get their children enrolled in South Panola’s pre-kindergarten program.

Irby said last year 167 showed up and out of 130 who completed the application process, the school could only serve 64.

Principal Susan Vance at Pope School reported on increased reading at her school and commended librarian Angela Hannaford.

Batesville Intermediate School principal Jeremy Stinson also stressed reading at his school and spoke of the “huge impact” of having author Michael Finklea at his school as a motivational speaker.

Batesville Middle School Principal Dr. Carol Gary commended her fifth grade teachers with reaching out through departmental meetings with their fourth grade colleagues to enhance overall curriculum.

Batesville Junior High Principal Leslie Busby bragged on the school auditorium’s new curtain.

“We’re going to get an upgrade on our curtain at the auditorium — just in time for our drama club’s performance,” Busby boasted.

South Panola High School Principal Jay Foster reported that 25 students had participated in grade recovery and would receive credit in those areas.

He also reported that course selection had begun for the 2011-2012 school year and let it be known that his school’s cheerleaders had placed sixth in the nation during recent competition in Florida.

Trustees accepted the bid of David Miller who offered $1,067 for a used 1995 bus.
Trustees also approved a request from Transportation Director Scootie Murphree to advertise for sale three older buses with for minimum bid of $700 each.