House Resolution 118

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE REMARKABLE AND DEDICATED SERVICE DR. JAMES PRICE PROVIDED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE VICKSBURG-WARREN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after an esteemed career in education having provided his knowledgeable skill and service to the citizens of Vicksburg and Warren County, Dr. James Price, a lifelong resident of Warren County and a graduate of its public school system, has announced his plans to retire from the office of Superintendent of the Vicksburg-Warren School District, a position in which he has provided a remarkable and dedicated service since July 2003; and

WHEREAS, with the exceptions of serving as an interim principal at Oakley Training School and as an adjunct professor at Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University and Mississippi College, Dr. Price's entire career in education has been in Vicksburg and Warren County, where he has worn many hats in the fulfillment of his duties as an elementary school classroom teacher, assistant junior high principal, elementary school principal and an administrative assistant; and

WHEREAS, during his seven-year term as superintendent, innovative initiatives have been forged with parents, the youth court and other governmental entities, along with business, industry and community service organizations to better unify and engage parents and the local community in the processes and methodologies of cultivating the impressionable minds of the district's educable students; and

WHEREAS, owing much to his style of leadership and foresight, the Vicksburg-Warren School District, under Dr. Price's administration, has experienced numerous notable accomplishments, which include the development of a model youth court program; the development of an intersession calendar that allowed teachers to remediate and enrich students; the implementation of an inventory control and automated work orders in all support services; the establishment of a program for induction and mentoring all new teachers; the reopening of Bovina Elementary School; accommodating 400-plus evacuee-students who were victims of Hurricane Katrina;

adding social workers, behavioral specialists and nurses; the creation of the school board Web site with bulletin board and board agenda; the implementation of paperless filing of personnel and student records; setting up a television station on local cable along with offering a digital video course at both Vicksburg and Warren Central High Schools; embracing technology and building a benchmark testing, assessment and reporting system using CPS, a custom grade book and white boards; the creation of four pre-school classes; and the establishment of a strings program in elementary through high school; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Price's vision has been to transcend mandates for the Vicksburg-Warren School District in order to allow the families, schools and the community to come together in recognition and support of the future success of the district and the students which it serves; and

WHEREAS, a champion of student achievement and academic excellence, Dr. Price has advocated the essential importance of modeling and living the morals and values before students by maintaining high standards based on the unique principle that "Doing the thing right is not the same as doing the right thing."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the works of such zealous individuals who are tasked with providing a prosperous and challenging educational environment for our state's youth, who are its future, as has been epitomized in the service and dedication of Dr. James Price:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the remarkable and dedicated service Dr. James Price provided as Superintendent of the Vicksburg-Warren School District, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors and enjoyment in the lighter years of his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Price and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.