MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison, Barnett, Blackwell, Burton, Carmichael, Caughman, Dearing, Frazier, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), McMahan, Michel, Seymour, Watson, Wilemon, Witherspoon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 540

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE 18 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS ACHIEVING AN "A" ACCREDITATION RATING FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

     WHEREAS, we join the students, parents, teachers and administrators of 18 Mississippi public school districts as they celebrate their recent success in achieving the top score on the A-F accreditation grading scale for the 2017-2018 school year; and

     WHEREAS, "Our superintendents have worked diligently to implement higher learning goals in their districts, and the teachers and administrators should be commended for their hard work as evidenced by Mississippi's performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress," State Superintendent of Education Carey Wright said; and

     WHEREAS, a list of the 18 Mississippi "A" school districts and their superintendents is as follows:

   LOCATION/DISTRICT                      SUPERINTENDENT

   Enterprise School District                  Josh Perkins

   Clinton Public School District         Dr. Tim Martin

   Rankin County School District          Dr. Sue Townsend

   Madison County School District

     Central Office                        Kimber Haliburton

   North Tippah Consolidated

     School District                       Bill Brand

   Tishomingo County Special Municipal

     Separate School District                  Christie Holly

   Booneville School District                  Dr. Todd English

   Union County School District           Ken Basil

   Pontotoc City School District          Dr. Michelle L. Bivens

   Petal School District                       Dr. Matt Dillion

   Lamar County School District           Tess R. Smith

   Ocean Springs School District          Dr. Bonita Coleman

   Biloxi Public School District          Arthur McMillan

   Long Beach School District                  Jay Smith

   Pass Christian Public School District    Dr. Carla Evers

   Lafayette County School District       Dr. Adam Pugh

   Oxford School District                 Brian Harvey

   DeSoto County School District          Cory Uselton; and

     WHEREAS, the Mississippi School Improvement Program has the responsibility of reviewing and accrediting the public school districts in Mississippi.  The process of accrediting school districts is mandated by state law and by State Board of Education regulation.  The department reviews each district's accreditation status and the academic progress rate (APR) supporting data to identify trends and status in performance outcomes.  Other considerations include rigorous analysis of key statistics, Comprehensive School Improvement Plans, previous Department Multi-Subject Instructional Period (MSIP) findings, financial status, compliance with regulations and statutes, and superintendent certification.  A district's accreditation classification remains intact until the State Board of Education rules otherwise.  Parents are always looking for quality instructional programs and educational opportunities that are available throughout these districts; and

     WHEREAS, as a state, we continue to make sustained progress.  Clearly, the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom in Mississippi is improving, and more importantly, student performance is improving.  Although the quality of education in Mississippi is improving, schools and districts across the country are also improving.  In this competitive global economy, the administrators, teachers and students at these "A" rated school districts have worked extremely hard to make the significant gains reflected by this state; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the education profession in recognizing the excellent academic progress made by A-rated districts which bring honor to their schools, their communities and to 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 extend the congratulations of the Mississippi Legislature to the 18 public school districts and school superintendents achieving an "A" accreditation rating for the 2017-2018 school year, and extend our best wishes to these school administrators, teachers, students and parents on the occasion of this achievement.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the superintendents of the A-rated school districts, forwarded to the State Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.