By Rupert Howell
School trustees approved a South Panola graduate to serve as one of the high school’s assistant principals during their monthly meeting Tuesday night before going into executive session and closing the door to the media concerning a personnel issue that may involve litigation.

Eugene Lamberth’s employment was approved as assistant principal as was assistant football coach James Easley who had left South Panola briefly for a head coaching job in Alabama.

Other certified teacher recommended hires approved at the monthly meeting included Sarah Beth Sullivan and Crystal Edwards at Batesville Intermediate School and Stacey Murphey at Batesville Middle School.

Resignations accepted Tuesday included: Natalie Williams and Rebecca Rawson from Batesville Intermediate School, Coach Ame Fletcher and Nakita Jones from Batesville Junior High School and Courtney Maples McCoy from Batesville Middle School.

According to Attorney Colmon Mitchell, no official board action was taken during the closed session other than the trustees instructing him to contact the attorney involved with the personnel issue.

Mitchell later acknowledged that progress on the LSP Energy bankruptcy case was discussed.

The school district is owed approximately $1.8 million from the county due to the taxes in arrears for the bankrupt power producing company.
Please see related story.