Senate Concurrent Resolution 587

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MARCUS WARE FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PETAL SCHOOL DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, Marcus Ware, longtime Chairman of the Petal School Board ("School Board"), has recently resigned; and

WHEREAS, his resignation was the culmination of 15 years of dedicated service on the Petal School Board, 14 of those years as Chairman; and

WHEREAS, Ware moved to Petal, Mississippi, in April of 1974, at the time that Petal was incorporated as a city; and

WHEREAS, Ware became active in the school district when his daughter and son entered the Petal School District and, at the insistence of many of his friends, applied for a post on the School Board; and

WHEREAS, the School Board has five members, three of whom are appointed by the Petal Board of Aldermen and two are elected from outside the city limits; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Ware received his appointment to the School Board and began to give his time and efforts to the Petal School District; and

WHEREAS, during Ware's tenure on the School Board, the schools all became Level 5 accredited, the district formed its own police department and new classrooms and the performing arts center were constructed; and

WHEREAS, he also participated in the decision to build a sports enhancement facility at the high school and in the selection of two superintendents; and

WHEREAS, Ware's accomplishments while leading the School Board are numerous: beginning the first Polymer Science Program in the state; art teachers at each school; counselors at each school, a computer system course at the high school, establishment and expansion of a nationally-recognized parenting center; establishment of Petal School District Police Department; hiring of two nurses in the district; expanded use of technology in the district; construction of approximately 50 classrooms and a total of 150,000 square feet of buildings; construction of the tennis complex; construction of the Petal Performing Arts Center; construction of soccer field; construction of music buildings at three schools; consistent Level 5 accountability rating of district; one of two districts in the state in 2002-2003 with all schools meeting AYP and receiving Level 5 performance classification; ACT scores at the national average for all students and above the national average for core completers (2003); and

WHEREAS, even though Ware is resigning from the School Board, he has vowed to remain one of the district's greatest supporters; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the dedicated service and constructive leadership of individuals such as Marcus Ware, who contributed so much to the school district and community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Marcus Ware for his many years of service to the Petal School District.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Marcus Ware and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.