House Resolution 109

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE REMARKABLE AND DEDICATED SERVICE MR. MICHAEL D. KENT PROVIDED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MADISON COUNTY 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 Madison County, Mr. Michael D. Kent has announced his plans to retire from the Office of Superintendent of the Madison County School District, a position in which he has provided a remarkable and dedicated service since the commencement of the 2000-2001 school term; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kent's entire career in education, spanning an approximate 37 years, has been in Madison County where he has worn many hats since having first begun in 1974 in the fulfillment of his duties as classroom teacher and coach at Madison Ridgeland High School, and Principal at Madison Ridgeland High School, Rosa Scott Middle School and Madison Central High School, before taking charge of the district as superintendent; and

WHEREAS, during his 11-year term as superintendent of schools, 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 Madison County School District, under Mr. Kent's administration, has: experienced the successful management of two school bond referendums and more than $175 million in new school construction; acquired unitary status and release from a 32-year-old desegregation order; placement of school nurses in 14 elementary and middle schools; implemented the largest high school mentoring program in the state, which serves as a national model; advocated for increased 16th section land development to provide maximum revenue to school districts throughout the state; has experienced an unprecedented growth in his 11-year term more than any previous administration, from 11 schools to 22 schools, 8,640 students to 11,813 students and 792 employees to 1,500 employees; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kent's vision has been to transcend mandates for the Madison County 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, Mr. Kent has advocated the essential importance of modeling and living the morals and values before students by maintaining high standards as evidenced by the district's having remained one of the top-performing school districts in the state with six Star schools, Ridgeland High School, Madison Avenue Upper Elementary, Madison Station Elementary, Madison Middle School, Rosa Scott Middle School and Mannsdale Elementary School; boasting the highest number of National Merit Semifinalists in the state; and having a graduation rate of more than 90%, with students maintaining an average 22.4 ACT score and receiving more than $15 million in scholarships; and

WHEREAS, a five-time Coach of the Year and former Star Teacher, the excellent stewardship exhibited by Mr. Kent as both a coach and teacher was carried forward as a driving catalyst that marks the success of his superintendence of the Madison County School District, which also afforded him the opportunity to serve on several boards and committees, including: Mississippi High School Activities Association, Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, Holmes Community College, Governor's SERVE Committee and State Superintendent of Public Education's Advisory Committee; 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 Mr. Michael D. Kent:

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 Mr. Michael D. Kent provided as Superintendent of the Madison County 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 with his wife, Barbara Jaeger Kent, and in service to God at First Baptist Church of Madison.

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