House Concurrent Resolution 71

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING SUPERINTENDENT DR. RONNIE MCGEHEE UPON THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MADISON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER 21 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Dr. Ronnie McGehee announced his retirement as Superintendent for the Madison County School District, effective as of June 2018, after his dedicated service in various positions in the school district for 21 years, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable educational leadership; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, Dr. McGehee began his illustrious career in education in south Louisiana where he held a variety of positions at schools, from coaching basketball to teaching science, and then he moved to Mississippi, where he ultimately found his place in the Madison County School District; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McGehee spent three years as an assistant principal and as a principal in Madison County before being selected by former Superintendent Mike Kent as the Director of the Building Program in 2000, and during that time, 14 schools were built in the school district with Dr. McGehee leading the way, and during his time as director, he oversaw a total of $275 million of facility construction; and

WHEREAS, as deputy superintendent during the Kent administration, Dr. McGehee was an essential part of implementing the National Merit summer school in Madison County, which has grown into a year-long program that continues to produce countless National Merit Scholars; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McGehee, after serving one year as interim superintendent, was elected in 2011 to serve as Superintendent of the Madison County School District, and during his administration there was an impactful shift towards a greater emphasis on improving academics in the school district; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McGehee's leadership experience, which he gained throughout his remarkable career in education, proved to be a positive asset for his transition to the office of superintendent, and this experience, coupled with his visionary leadership, has worked in tandem to provide students with a paramount educational system with high standards and that affords students the opportunity to avail themselves of a multitude of supplemental programs and services that enrich their academic growth; and

WHEREAS, with an eagerness to formulate ideas that would improve the quality of education for students in Madison County, Dr. McGehee created a plan that expanded the school district's access to the ACT so that now every junior completes the ACT during school hours, and because Dr. McGehee's plan was tremendously successful, he had the opportunity to work with state leaders to replicate his plan across the state; and

WHEREAS, during Dr. McGehee's tenure as superintendent, there were additional improvements in the school district, such as investing in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) program, embracing the use of electronic devices such as cell phones and computers in school, implementing "Bring Your Own Device" policies, and investing in a 1:1 initiative that supplied high school students with laptops for educational use; and

WHEREAS, in addition to receiving recognition for the school district acquiring an "A" accountability rating and producing countless National Merit Scholars, Dr. McGehee also received recognition for helping the school district maintain a safe and secure environment; and

WHEREAS, during these tumultuous times, Dr. McGehee has kept a focus on forming meaningful relationships with students because he understood how those relationships could help the faculty and administration, as well as those students, achieve excellence; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McGehee's emphasis on improving academics in the Madison County School District is a true testament of his dedication and eagerness to help the students of Madison County achieve their fullest potential and of his positive impact on the quality of education in Madison County, and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend great Mississippians such as Superintendent Dr. Ronnie McGehee, who strive to improve the quality of education so that students are able to achieve their goals, and who have brought honor to their school district, community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Superintendent Dr. Ronnie McGehee upon the occasion of his retirement from the Madison County School District after 21 years of dedicated service, for leaving his "mark of excellence" on education in Madison County and in Mississippi, and extend sincere wishes for his continued success in his lighter days to come.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Superintendent Dr. Ronnie McGehee, the president of the board of Madison County School District, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.