Senate Resolution 77

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND LONGTIME PONTOTOC COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION JERRY L. HORTON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Jerry L. Horton, three-term Pontotoc County Superintendent of Education, who directed the school district to a Level Five accreditation rating, has announced he will not seek another term; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Horton is credited with providing the leadership to propel the county school system into the top 5% best school systems in the State of Mississippi, Pontotoc County Schools being among the first school district in the state to receive a Level Five accreditation rating; and

WHEREAS, Pontotoc County Schools have become so proficient that two years ago the third grade class at North Pontotoc scored the highest academic average of any third grade in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, for over 20 years, Horton has been involved in elective public life after starting his teaching career at South Pontotoc in 1986. He has been Superintendent for 12 years, served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1980-1988, and was on the Board of Aldermen in Ecru for over two years; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Horton reflects on the monumental changes in education in the last 12 years: accountability is the national trend following the Mississippi model that he helped to draft while in the Legislature. "We are now going to be held accountable for every child. No student can be left behind"; and

WHEREAS, Horton's community service has been exemplary, having been a member of the Pontotoc Rotary Club, Cherry Creek Masonic Lodge, Board of Trustees of Itawamba Community College (ICC), board member of the Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) and the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS); he was voted Pontotoc County "Man of the Year" in 2002; he is married to the former Helen Wilson and they have one son, Jason; the family are dedicated members of the Baptist Church; and Jerry looks forward to fishing as he returns to private life; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the career of this model citizen who has led his school system into one of the top academic districts in the state and who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate former Representative and longtime Pontotoc County Superintendent of Education Jerry L. Horton on the occasion of his retirement, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jerry L. Horton, the Pontotoc County Board of Education, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.