House Resolution 72

(As Adopted by House)

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

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 School; (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 Junior College; (1984-1986) teacher, vocational agriculture, New Hebron; (1986-1991) Director of 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 Junior 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: Ninth 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 and field house; construction of batting cage and lights; construction of track; addition of new bleachers; construction of additional restrooms for Lawrence County High School; 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, 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 copies of this resolution be furnished to Superintendent John Bull, the Lawrence County Board of Education and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.