By Rupert Howell
A news release from North Panola School Board this week revealed that 11 have applied for that school district’s superintendent’s position.

A report was given to the school board members Wednesday by Dr. Mike Waldrop, Executive Director of the Mississippi School Boards Association who has been hired to lead a superintendent’s search.

The Panolian was not made aware of the public meeting and no details are available other than those provided in the district’s news release.

The release stated that of the 11 applicants, four were school principals, two assistant principals, a district curriculum/testing coordinator, a director of math curriculum and student intervention, an executive director of academic support for elementary schools and a retired administrator. Five of the applicants have a doctorate degree. Two are female.

School trustees contracted with MSBA to direct the search in February and first discussed criteria to be used for screening and reporting back to the board.

A brochure was distributed to publicize the vacancy with copies being distributed to 498 school districts, colleges and universities as well as educational publications and websites.

A survey was distributed to parents, teachers, administrators in the district, “to give them the opportunity to participate in the employment process for the superintendent,” according to the news release.

The detailed report was taken under advisement at the Wednesday meeting according to the provided information. Trustees will meet again Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at the high school library for their scheduled monthly meeting.

North Panola District was taken over by the State Department of Education for under achieving academic standards approximately five years ago and put under conservatorship.

The district has worked its way out and will again be under local control when a new superintendent takes office July 1.

A new board of trustees elected in November is presently operating under the watchful eye of conservator Robert King who is acting as superintendent until a new one is in place.