By Rupert Howell

Along with their usual monthly business last Tuesday trustees for the North Panola School District recognized, among others, Assistant Principal Victor Henson for  voluntarily overseeing the K-5 extended school program.

Superintendent Cedric Richardson praised Henson’s efforts, telling his trustee board that not only did he oversee the extended summer session, he also designed the program and instruction that provided quality data on those students working on remediation.

Trustee board members were also presented with Certificates of Completion for having completed required hours of continuing education—a requirement for school board members.

Also recognized during Tuesday’s meeting was outstanding athlete Justin Connor. (Please see related story in sports pages)

During Richardson’s report to trustees he stressed functioning leadership teams throughout grades K-8. 

He had recently returned from a conference in Washington and noted that with current teams in place, data can be observed by the teams and decisions made to better move the district in the right direction.

Richardson mentioned recent increases in student achievement and the third grade reading test scores while relating to group leadership, stating, “It’s not a one-man show. All levels of leadership need to work together.”

Entering his second year as North Panola’s superintendent, Richardson has changed, rearranged and brought in new administrators to the district.

The superintendent also lauded increased numbers in career technical areas offered by the district. That area had 29 students in 2012 and currently has around 200. Male students prefer the automotive and construction aspects of the career technical curriculum while female students trend toward health sciences, Richardson explained.