MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Perry

House Concurrent Resolution 92

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING JOHN W. JORDAN, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE OXFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, ON BEING NAMED THE MISSISSIPPI 1998 SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR. 

WHEREAS, Dr. John W. Jordan, Superintendent of the Oxford Public School System, has been selected as the Mississippi 1998 School Superintendent of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan received his formal education at Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree before being awarded a Master's in Education and Doctorate in Education degrees; and

WHEREAS, upon receiving his doctorate degree, Dr. Jordan began his career in education serving as the principal of Natchez Cathedral School from 1983 to 1987; and

WHEREAS, in 1987, Dr. Jordan became the Assistant Superintendent of the Jackson Public School District, where he diligently worked for seven years to improve the education for the children of his district; and

WHEREAS, after a long and exhausting search for a new superintendent, the Oxford Public School District named Dr. Jordan superintendent of the system in 1994; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan has helped bring the Oxford Public School District to a Level V academic designation, a rating which the district has maintained for two consecutive years, which the State of Mississippi deems exceptional; and

WHEREAS, while academics are stressed in the Oxford School District, Dr. Jordan has been successful in implementing other worthwhile programs in the schools, such as the placement of full-time art teachers in the elementary schools of the district and the creation of a Yamaha keyboard music lab at one of the elementary schools by using federal funds and funds from local and state art councils, thereby establishing the music lab free of cost to the school district; and

WHEREAS, since his arrival in Oxford three years ago, Dr. Jordan has continued to provide the leadership necessary for all factions of the district, from maintenance staff to school board members, leadership that has helped the Oxford Public School District achieve the highest academic rating the state can give; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan is a member of many professional organizations, including the Resolutions Committee of the American Association of School Administrators, the Strategic Planning Committee of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, the Mississippi Association for School Administrators, and the Mississippi Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and

WHEREAS, along with his involvement with education and professional organizations, Dr. Jordan finds time to serve as a leader in various community organizations, such as: the Oxford Rotary Club, where he currently serves as Secretary and is President-elect for the 1998-1999 year; the Board of Directors for the United Way of Oxford; Chairman of the Lafayette County Youth Violence Task Force; the Oxford Habitat for Humanity; and as a member of St. John's Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent of the Year Program is carried out jointly by the American Association of School Administrators and the Mississippi Association of School Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan will be honored at the American Association of School Administrators Annual Education Conference on February 27, 1998, in San Diego, California; and

WHEREAS, at the conference, Dr. Jordan will also be recognized at the First General Assembly with the superintendents selected for the honor from the other 49 states; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds it most appropriate to pay special tribute to such an outstanding administrator of education as Dr. John W. Jordan, who has brought great pride to his community and the State of Mississippi for his involvement in education:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. John W. Jordan on being named the Mississippi 1998 School Superintendent of the Year and extend to him our heartiest wishes for every success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. John W. Jordan, the Oxford Public School District and the Capitol Press Corps.