House Resolution 78

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE REMARKABLY DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF DR. CHARLES LYNN WEATHERSBY UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE RANKIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Lynn Weathersby has announced his retirement as Superintendent of Education for Rankin County School District effective upon the expiration of his current term of office, leaving behind a legacy of educational leadership and dedication to the public schools and unmatched service to the families of Rankin County; and

WHEREAS, elected Superintendent of Education in 2000, Dr. Weathersby is currently serving his fourth term of office as the longest-serving Rankin County Superintendent of Education, overseeing with efficiency and exactness the state's third largest school district comprised of 28 schools, an estimated 3,000 employees and approximately 19,500 students, and serving as the Rankin County's largest employer; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Weathersby's ascent to become an astute academician and even-handed supervisor is attributable to his innate ability to succeed in every educational environment exposed to for matriculation beginning with his acquisition of his associate of arts degree from Hinds Community College, to his receipt of a baccalaureate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a masters of education leadership from Mississippi College, before culminating in his being awarded his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, prior to his service as Superintendent of Education, he was elected as Supervisor of Rankin County from 1988-2000, serving as board president during a period of unprecedented growth in population, business and public facilities in Rankin County, leadership experience that proved it is a positive asset for his transition to the office of superintendent coupled with his visionary leadership, which have worked in tandem to provide students with a paramount educational system that has high standards and affords students the opportunity to avail themselves of a multitude of supplemental programs and services that enrich social, emotional and academic growth; and

WHEREAS, with district growth at over 6,000 students, many changes have been implemented within the district under the guidance of Dr. Weathersby's administration, including: the construction of five new school facilities and a Central Office/Professional Development Complex at the tune of more than $150 million; improved technology infrastructure to support increased bandwidth and promotion of blended learning environments; financial and mentor support for teachers completing National Board Certification for a district with the largest population of teachers holding the distinction; the establishment of the Foundation for Rankin County Schools; the operation of the Gateway to College Program as the state's first "Mississippi Works" program; the implementation of the American School Counseling Association Model; and the introduction and expansion of the Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement programs; all of which have overwhelmingly succeeded in contributing to the Rankin County School District receiving an accountability rating as an "A" District by the Mississippi Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, the district selected for the operation of the Career Academies for the Mississippi Department of Education and the Governor's Performance-Based Pay pilot programs, Rankin County School District through these programs has made substantial strides in increasing accessibility to enhanced academic curriculum and career exposure as well as increasing teachers' salaries by more than $800,000.00 annually; and

WHEREAS, efficient in the allocation of academic and financial resources, Dr. Weathersby has administered the district with the fourth lowest administrative cost among all 146 school districts in Mississippi, with a 16-year balanced budget without any increases in taxes and a reduced millage rate that is the lowest in the Jackson-metro area and less that the county's established millage rate in 2002, garnering the district recognition by the State Auditor the past 12 years for excellence in financial management; and

WHEREAS, a man of many skills and who wears many hats including service on the board of directors of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and 12-year member of the Board of Trustees for Hinds Community College, of which he currently serves as president, Dr. Weathersby is the recipient of numerous honors, awards and recognitions, including: Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA) Golden Lamp Award, 2013; 2009 Hinds Community College Alumnus of the Year; Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Superintendent of the Year; Mississippi Arts Superintendent of the Year; American Heart Association Superintendent of the Year; 2002 Mississippi State University, Lamar, Moody Award; 2002 Mississippi State University Circle of Excellence; and honorary State Future Farmers of America membership; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Weathersby, throughout his esteemed career of committed public service, has been enveloped in the benefit of being loved, encouraged and supported by his wife of 45 years, Edie Weathersby, their two children and six grandchildren, with whom he will enjoy the extended privilege of sharing quality time in the lighter years of his retirement; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this record of achievement in the public schools by a professional school administrator of Dr. Weathersby's pristine caliber, who is an example for his colleagues and whose service honors both the Rankin County schools and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the legacy of educational opportunities for students achieved by Dr. Charles Lynn Weathersby upon the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent of Education for Rankin County Schools, and extend our best wishes to Dr. Weathersby and his family on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to Dr. Charles Lynn Weathersby and his family, the Rankin County Board of Education and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.