Senate Concurrent Resolution 511

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JOHN A. BULL FOR HIS NEARLY 30 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN OF LAWRENCE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS TEACHER, PRINCIPAL AND COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, John A. Bull has devoted nearly 30 years of service to the children of Lawrence County, serving as; teacher, principal and superintendent of education and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bull is recognized for his twelve-year tenure as County Superintendent of Education, during which time he demonstrated his personal commitment to each of the schools of the county and their students by developing and maintaining quality education, creating financial stability and by having foresight, therefore initiating innovative methods; and

WHEREAS, for the first time ever, Mississippi schools received school performance classifications, and the preliminary rating for each Lawrence County School is as follows; Monticello Elementary School, Level-4 Exemplary; Rod Paige Middle School, Level-4 Exemplary; Lawrence County High School, Level-4 Exemplary; New Hebron Attendance Center, Level-3 Successful; and Topeka-Tilton Attendance Center, Level-4 Exemplary.

WHEREAS, Superintendent Bull deserves recognition for the schools which experienced significant achievement gains, because teachers were working in teams at the grade and subject levels to assure the success of all students with each school having an active school improvement team; and

WHEREAS, John Bull's public education career is a matter of record: Education: (1965) Graduated from Stone County High; (1972) Associates degree Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; (1973) Bachelor's degree Mississippi State University; (1975) Master's degree Mississippi State University; (1979) Education Specialist degree Mississippi State University; and (1984) Education Administration University of Southern Mississippi. Career: (1974-1980) Teacher, Vocational Agriculture at Topeka Tilton; (1980-1983) Principal, Topeka Tilton School; (1983-1984)

Vocational Administration Copiah-Linclon Jr. College; (1984-1986) Teacher, Vocational Agriculture New Hebron; (1986-1991) Director, Vocational Programs, Lawrence County School District; (November 1991) Superintendent of Education, Lawrence County Schools;

(1995-1999) second term; (1999-2004) Superintendent of Education, third term. Associations: Mississippi Association of Vocational Education; Past Secretary/Treasurer; Past Board of Directors Member; Past District President. Topeka Baptist Church Member; Deacon; Sunday School Director; Past Sunday School and Discipleship Training Teacher and Past Church Treasurer. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Past Chairman of Education; Past Board of Directors. Copiah-Lincoln Community College; (1983-1984) JTPA Supervisor; (1992-present) Member of Board of Trustees; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Bull was responsible for overseeing the following physical improvements in the district: 9th Grade wing addition Lawrence County High School; addition to Monticello Elementary School; construction of multi-purpose Building; Tech Prep-Discovery Labs at Rod Paige, New Hebron and Topeka Tilton; renamed Monticello Junior High to Rod Paige Middle School; Construction of softball field & field house; construction of batting cage and lights; construction of track; addition of new bleachers; construction of additional restrooms for Lawrence County High; Parent Center; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bull has generously given his time, expertise and resources to other educational institutions, communities and charities; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bull's leadership skills have led to numerous unique and creative mechanisms which have contributed to establishing quality education across Lawrence County and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate John A. Bull for his nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the children of Lawrence County, Mississippi, as teacher, principal and County Superintendent of Education, and salute him for a lifetime of achievement in public education on the occasion of his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Superintendent Bull and his family, forwarded to the Lawrence County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.