Three core Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District functions will have new leaders for the upcoming 2016-2017 academic year.
SOCSD trustees named Starkville High School Assistant Principal Sean McDonnall as the school’s new leader Tuesday. McDonnall replaces David Baggett, who was promoted last month to a newly created assistant superintendent position.
McDonnall’s promotion is effective July 1, and he will make $95,000 annually.
Another SHS shakeup moved Assistant Principal Lenora Hogan to the Millsaps Career and Technology Center’s leadership position, and Armstrong Middle School Assistant Principal Watress Harris was named the director of East School, which will house the district’s alternative education program beginning in August.
Hogan assumes her new role July 18 and will earn $70,875 for the year. Harris’ move is effective July 11, and she will make $75,771 annually.
“Mr. McDonnall, Dr. Hogan and Dr. Harris are experienced administrators who share a strong commitment to our district, our students and teachers,” said Superintendent Lewis Holloway in a release. “We’re excited about the opportunity for them to assume key leadership positions in the district.”
The three moves were among approximately 60 personnel adjustments approved by the board Tuesday.
The school board approved 15 resignations and retirements and almost 30 status changes.
Trustees also moved forward with a 2.9-mill reverse referendum that will provide up to $16 million for a new grades 6-7 partnership school at Mississippi State University, help renovate Overstreet Elementary School for incoming fifth graders and provide other districtwide repairs and improvements.
Holloway said the school could be constructed by June 2018.
Local funding is needed to secure an additional $5 million in state funding after lawmakers pledged $5 million in the upcoming fiscal year.
Legislation approving the allocations still awaits Gov. Phil Bryant’s signature.
Expiring millage will negate the need for a tax increase to fund the bond initiative.
A public hearing on the reverse referendum is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 17 at the SHS auditorium.
A petition could force the issuance to a public vote if 20 percent of registered voters — about 4,000 people — sign the document.
Petitioners have until 11 a.m. May 27 to oppose the reverse referendum. School board members will meet at noon that same day to move forward with the issuance.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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