MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Cuevas, Ferris

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING WILLIAM MICHAEL "MIKE" REED, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BAY ST. LOUIS-WAVELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WHEREAS, William Michael "Mike" Reed, born February 24, 1947, serves as the Superintendent of the Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Dentsville High School in Columbia, South Carolina, and received his B.S. in 1969, a Masters in Education in 1974 and a Doctorate in Education in 1983, all from the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he has benefited from numerous other educational programs in his field at institutions of higher learning; and

WHEREAS, in his previous positions, he served as

Assistant Superintendent in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Principal of Gulfport High School, Principal of Clinton High School, Principal of George S. Gardiner Junior High School, D.U. Maddox Junior High School, Assistant Principal of R.H. Watkins High School, Director of Drug Education and social studies teacher, all in the Laurel, Mississippi schools, and a social studies teacher in the Jones County schools; and

WHEREAS, he has served in numerous civic and professional organizations, having been a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals, in 1989 was selected Mississippi Principal of the Year, was chosen in 1990 as one of 35 principals in the nation to attend the Principals' Institute at Vanderbilt University, and has taught graduate level courses in school administration and leadership for the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey College; and

WHEREAS, he was chosen in 1976 as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America and received the Gold Star of Achievement Award from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Drug Abuse Center in 1975; and

WHEREAS, he has worked with the Jones County Youth Court Volunteers, was ordained as a Deacon in 1981, served on the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, Education Subcommittee, Adopt-A-School and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Jackson County Leadership Program; and

WHEREAS, he belongs to NASSP, ASCD, MASSP, Red Red Rose, Phi Delta Kappa and MASA; and

WHEREAS, his hobbies are hunting, fishing, swimming and reading; and

WHEREAS, he developed a drug education program which is considered a model program and which was recently selected by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the best drug prevention programs in the nation; and

WHEREAS, one of his strong points is the ability to build consensus and incorporate student, parent and teacher input into the educational programs he oversees; and

WHEREAS, among his foremost accomplishments he rates the 1994 qualification of Ocean Springs as one of the first two districts in the state to receive Level 5 Accreditation rating, and the passage of a 1996 Bond Issue with 72% of the vote among those of which he is most proud; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the achievements of the citizens of this state, especially of those who devote their lives and careers to working with the youth of this state, who are our future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Mike Reed for his lifelong devotion to the education of the children entrusted to his charge, and for his untiring efforts to improve the quality of public education in Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Reed.