The Newton County School District Board of Trustees met on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in the Newton County High School Library in Decatur, Mississippi, to discuss a variety of matters, including the expansion of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, personnel changes, and financial updates.
The board approved the fourth phase of the Career and Technical Education building project, which will include the construction of a new culinary arts classroom and a dedicated space for the POWER Academy. This program, developed in partnership with Mississippi Power and East Central Community College, will provide students with hands-on electrical training. The buildout project is set to enhance the district’s existing CTE space, which is located in the old Peavey building next to the high school. Additionally, the board announced that part of the space will include a public arts space that will seat approximately 600 people.
Several personnel changes were addressed during the meeting. The board accepted the resignations of business manager C. Mollett, C. Clark. Superintendent Brooke Sibley recommended the appointments of B. White as an assistant, S. Walker as a substitute, K. Thorne as an assistant, and Airhart as a substitute, all of which were approved.
Superintendent Sibley reported that the district has received 43% of its revenue for the fiscal year and has spent 42% of its expenditures, indicating that the district’s financial status is stable. The board also approved a consulting agreement for financial services and authorized the disposal of Chromebooks that were too old to be repaired.
The meeting concluded with the election of new board officers. Josh Sanders was selected as President, Camp Kieth as Vice President, and Kenneth Thompson as Secretary. The board also entered an executive session but took no action.
