Senate Concurrent Resolution 632

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF HINDS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. STEPHEN LEWIS HANDLEY UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Dr. Stephen Lewis Handley, Ed.D., served as Superintendent of Education for the Hinds County School District from June 2005 to December 2013. He is a proven leader as a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and teacher committed to academic excellence through continued student development and growth. As Superintendent, he was responsible for 6,500 students, 714 staff members, 11 facilities, and an annual budget of over $86 Million. He was focused on providing students a rigorous and challenging curriculum while implementing Common Core Standards within current state standards. Dr. Handley had a belief in the total immersion of technology within the day-to-day operations of the district resulting in exemplary achievement through focused pedagogy, acceleration/remediation, and the gathering and use of data for decision-making; and

WHEREAS, notable achievements include:

· Moved one school from Failing to Successful, three schools from Academic Watch to Successful, and three schools from Successful to High-Performing while serving as either Principal or Superintendent;

· Moved the district rating from Academic Watch to Successful;

· Created software for tracking RTI, residency, discipline, teacher evaluations, and lesson planning;

· Implemented a Positive Behavior Management System (PBIS) which included district-wide early identification and intervention, threat assessment and follow-up procedures, and group social skill education;

· Coordinated the complete renovation of one school over a four-month summer period;

· Built three additional classroom wings on three buildings through refinancing of current bond obligations;

· Built a $1,500,000.00 cafeteria at one school using reserve funds obtained through energy conservation efforts and a complete audit of financial obligations;

· Worked with the Legislature, town government, and private business to develop property belonging to the school into the business district for a newly created town. This effort has provided a perpetual income to the district through rental, taxes, and the sale of some land;

· State of Mississippi Administrator of the Year 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Handley earned his Educational Doctorate received through the University of Southern Mississippi in 1998, his Master's of Education received through the University of Southern Mississippi in 1979, and his Bachelor's of Science of Education received through Delta State University in 1973; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Handley was a member of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS), International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE), Association of School Curriculum Development (ASCD), and Phi Delta Kappa. He contributed to these publications: Beginning the Principalship Making School Smarter, Aligning Student Support with Achievement Goals Leading Every Day, and The Strategic School Don't Teach the Canaries Not to Sing; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Handley was very active in his community serving as: State Chairperson for Education for the March of Dimes for Babies in 2012, Member and Secretary of the Hinds Community College Board of Trustees, Board Member of Riggs Manor Senior Care Facility, Member of the University of Mississippi Center Diversity Board, Member of the Raymond Chamber of Commerce, Member of South Jackson Rotary Club and Member of Advisory Board for the National Express Transportation Company; and

WHEREAS, his honors and awards include: 2005 Mississippi Administrator of the Year, America Reads Mississippi Superintendent of the Year presented by Jackson State University, Hinds County School District Principal of the Year, McComb School District Administrator of the Year, and National Service Learning Leader Award; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the professional and civic career of this most public spirited citizen with a record of achievement and legacy of educational leadership and dedication to his students and fellow administrators in 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 educational leadership of Hinds County Superintendent of Education Dr. Stephen Lewis Handley upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend our best wishes to Dr. Handley and his family for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Handley, forwarded to the Hinds County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.