Senate Concurrent Resolution 672

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED PUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICE AND LEGACY OF SOUTH DELTA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT KATHERINE TANKSON ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after 42 years in education, South Delta School District Superintendent Katherine Tankson has announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2012. She has served six years as the district's superintendent; and

WHEREAS, Katherine Tankson is a native of Sharkey County and resides in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. She served in the educational arena for 42 years in the South Delta School District as a classroom teacher and administrator, prior to her retirement. South Delta School District is located in the Mississippi Delta and serves the students of Sharkey and Issaquene Counties with a present enrollment of 978; and

WHEREAS, upon the receipt of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, Mississippi in 1969, her only desire was to return to her hometown to teach in order to help make a difference in the lives of children. She also received a Master's Degree in English from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi and a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi. During her tenure in the school district, she served as a Teacher, Federal Program Director, Technology Coordinator, Grant Writer, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Superintendent. In addition, she served as an Auditor for the International Curriculum Management Audit Center, Inc., Huxley, Iowa, where she assisted in conducting Curriculum Management audits in school districts in Bermuda, Georgia, and California. Also, she served as an Auditor in school districts for the Mississippi Department of Education on several occasions; and

WHEREAS, in March 2001, she was employed with the Mississippi Department of Education as Project Director for the Technology Academy for School Leaders and served in this position until June 2004. As director she worked with superintendents, principals and other administrators across the state in the areas of technology integration and curriculum development. In July 2006, she returned to the South Delta School District where she has served as Superintendent of South Delta School District. Under her leadership, significant progress has been made in changing the culture of the district/schools; providing the necessary resources for teachers to become effective teachers and administrators, effective instructional leaders; significant increase in student achievement; technology-rich instructional environment and improved parent and community involvement. She also spearheaded a $4 Million renovation project at the South Delta High School, with an expected completion date of June 30th; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Tankson is a member of numerous educational organizations. Providing the students of the South Delta School District a quality education is her passion. She expresses gratitude for having the opportunity to touch the lives of so many students in directing them to the path of success. She gives God the glory for all accomplishments achieved; and

WHEREAS, she married her high school sweetheart, James Tankson, a retired educator for forty years, and they have three beautiful daughters, Dr. Jeanetta Denise Tankson, Dr. Janice Valencia Tankson and Jamie Alicia Tankson Cunningham (Master's Degree who is also aspiring to acquire a Doctoral Degree in Education), a wonderful son-in-law, Reverend Therman Cunningham Jr., who is working toward a Doctoral Degree in Theology and two precious, loving granddaughters, Trinity Alicia Cunningham and Taylor LeAnn Cunningham; and

WHEREAS, according to Tankson, the district's academic goal

for school year 2011-2012 is for all schools (elementary, middle and high) to achieve an Accountability Level of "High Performing" based upon students' performance on the 2012 spring state assessments. She thanked the Board of Trustees, administrators,

teachers, staff and students for the hard work in the success of the district/schools, and urged them to continue to work with the intensity that will move the district/schools to the top; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note the accomplishments of this respected educator and school administrator whose leadership has enriched the lives of all her students, colleagues and fellow citizens in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the dedicated public education service and legacy of South Delta School District Superintendent Katherine Tankson on the occasion of her retirement, and extend to her and her family our best wishes on this occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mrs. Tankson, forwarded to the South Delta School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.