Bill Text: MS SC540 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Extending congratulations to 18 public school districts and superintendents achieving an "A" accreditation rating.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-01 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC540 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2019-SC540-Enrolled.html
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.
