Poplarville School Board approves new program to combat teacher shortage
Published 7:00 am Wednesday, September 13, 2017
- Left, Poplarville School Board member Violine Jordan fills in as Board President during Tommy Strahan's absence, tackling routine matters. Photo by Julia Arenstam
The Poplarville School Board approved an agreement with William Cary University and Pearl River Community College Monday that could fill vacancies throughout the District.
Superintendent Carl Merritt said the program would help entice students attending all Pearl River County grade schools to pursue a degree in the education field.
Once they enroll in the program, students would be obligated to teach at one of the local schools within Pearl River County for at least two years, he said. However, the students wouldn’t be guaranteed a job, Merritt said. Their placement would still be dependent on availability and each student’s merits, he said.
Other incentives included in the program the program, such as grants and scholarships, still have to be worked out by the college, Merritt said.
It’s not a financial agreement, he said.
“It’s a win-win for us and the other county schools,” Merritt said.
Merritt said Poplarville is not alone in dealing with a teacher shortage and this program could help combat that by recruiting Pearl River County students to come back home to work.
“I think it’s really positive,” he said.
Assistant Superintendent Konya Miller said the program is still in the planning stages.
In a separate matter, the Board did not make a decision about property donated by the Poplarville Board of Aldermen.
The Aldermen approved the donation of property, located at 510 W. Michigan Street, during its Aug. 15 meeting, previous coverage states.
The Aldermen voted that the property was no longer used for city purposes and was donated with the intent of Poplarville Lower Elementary School using it as a pick up and drop off location for students, according to previous coverage.
Miller said the Board tabled the matter for further inquiry after an executive session on the matter.
In other matters, the Board:
-Approved a Pickering 2017-2018 asbestos continuing service contract.
-Approved copier service agreements with Novacopy.
– Accepted quotes to reforest 16th section land from Diversified Forrest Management at $87/acre.
-Approved workers compensation insurance at increased premiums.
-Approved a recommended response to the Mississippi School Board Administration 2018 School Board Legislative Survey.
The Board will meet again on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
