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Rumbling in the county continues with the same subject that has been a hot topic for months the Simpson County School District.
The big question is what is going on at Magee High School and the administration?
These answers, we the public, will probably never have the true answers. Whether they are personal, personnel or strategic questions…we need answers.
Administration changes at Magee High School have the public talking.
The talk becomes strange after a special called school board meeting Thursday, June 29, 2023. Human Resources approval was not made public to the media. The board and SCSD claim they want to be transparent but suddenly, we are not allowed access and now major decisions and reassignments are being made and the public is being shut out. The media is allowed access if they will give written access and pay for copies, fees, and time. Document access has never been a problem previously. Media was told this rule was just discovered this past month during a meeting and the district is advised to follow school policy. MageeNews.com provided a signed copy of the Freedom Act but as of today, still have not been allowed access. Just strange this all comes at the same time on the last day of a superintendent’s job, and he is allowed to make such changes in administration.
This is not fact strictly street talk but was told on the Human Resource Report at the special called meeting Thursday was a recommendation for an Assistant Principal at Magee High School. Apparently, this was someone that the Superintendent approved. Again, no facts because we are not allowed HR report but was told a new recommendation for the Assistant Principal Mrs. Carol Ford was approved by a 3-2 vote with Herrin and Bulger against. This has not been confirmed just hearsay at this point. Previously, Mr Broadhead had recommended a different candidate for the assistant principal position that was vacant. Before the June board meeting the recommendation was pulled by Dr. Holloway from the human resources report.
According to sources Principal Broadhead had no knowledge of the new Assistant Principal hire until he was blindsided at a retreat for administration on the coast Wednesday evening. Ms. Ford stood up and introduced herself as the new Assistant Principal at Magee High School. Mr. Broadhead was caught off guard because his recommendation for Assistant Principal was not his previous recommendation. The announcement immediately caused some to turn to their cell phones, begin texting others and asking questions…..
Why would a board allow an individual who is leaving this county to cause such disarray within a community. Parents, students (who school is all about), teachers, friends, citizens all upset over changes that no one understands. Again, not allowing the Human Resources report makes the school district and board look guilty even if they are not. Some question is he trying to make sure Simpson County fails after his departure to make him look good!
The out pouring of people on social media networks commenting are saddened, upset, and angry over losing such great leaders at a school are unbelievable. We have watched firsthand an individual take control of a school, directed the students back to the classroom and out of the halls from where they roamed previously and back to learning and succeeding.
We do not sit on this board but why would a board allow an outgoing superintendent to make such changes on his last days of duty?????? Does he really have the best interest in the community and the kids? How do you have a team in place that brings a school from a F rating to a projected B rating in two years (official scores will be released later this Fall) and see fit to question their recommendations for positions and move them to a different location? Again, these answers we will most likely never get. But, when a district will not allow public access to records the public then has no choice but to fill in the blanks themselves. Just seems like someone is hiding something. If not sure is terrible timing……
We have a school board seeking support of the community and businesses but with these decisions how can any citizens or business support any future plans and projects they might present.
School starts for administration Monday with the new fiscal year. School Starts the 20th. Magee has no counselor, Principal, a new Assistant Principal with no previous administrative experience, and a new lead teacher. How can all these components come together in such a short period of time when just a few days prior all leadership positions at Magee were slotted to be filled with seasoned employees?
Is this a done deal? The questions on everyone mind is can the board or new Superintendent reverse the actions of the outgoing Superintendent? For these answers or more details contact your board members. They are elected by you for you and should hear your concerns and answer your questions.
How will the upper administration ever get teachers and staff to buy into their program when they feel betrayed?
When the new Superintendent was hired, the board stated Dr. Lawrence was chosen for stability! How is this stability? Just something to ponder………
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
I think this article sums up the feelings of a majority of Simpson County residents. Holloway ran a mini dictatorship the entire he was superintendent. Hopefully his replacement will work with the Board of Education and citizens to do what is best for all the schools in Simpson County and the students.