The Union Public School District Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on Dec. 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., with members Nicole Harrison, Jeremy Hamm, Eric Graham, Sommer Warren, and LaToya Harrison participating, the latter via telephone from Brandon, Mississippi. Visitors from the Newton County School District were also in attendance. The meeting began with Nicole Harrison leading a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board unanimously approved the amended agenda after a motion by Jeremy Hamm and a second by Eric Graham. Discussions followed on several topics, including the review of Board Policy Section B: Board Organization, board visits to schools, potential school choice legislation in Mississippi, and a possible revision to Policy JCDAC. During the meeting, board members completed the 2025 Superintendent Evaluation Instrument Numerical Rating while the superintendent briefly stepped out.
The board approved several personnel-related items. A motion by Sommer Warren, seconded by Jeremy Hamm, led to the approval of Angelica Ferguson as a cafeteria worker for the 2024-2025 school year. The resignation of teacher assistant Tamara Hickmon, effective December 23, 2024, was also approved following a motion by Eric Graham and a second by Sommer Warren. Shortly afterward, the board approved adding Hickmon to the substitute pool for the 2024-2025 school year.
The board addressed several financial matters. Following motions by various members, approvals were granted to add proceeds from the Mississippi Department of Education’s Special Agricultural Funding to the fiscal year 2025 budget, the November financial statements, and the claims docket (39100-39211). Additionally, the board approved a donation, fundraising requests, and the monthly MAEP transfer.
Routine operational matters were also handled, including the approval of the teacher and student attendance report, the first semester discipline report, and the minutes from the previous meeting on November 11, 2024. After a discussion on a student discipline matter, the board did not enter executive session but voted to expel Student 002032225.
The superintendent provided updates on several key areas, including plans for additional classroom space at Union Elementary School, building updates funded by the BSCA grant, benchmarking and state testing progress, upcoming artificial intelligence training, Homeland Security CRASE training, and professional development initiatives.
The meeting concluded at 7:03 p.m. following a motion to adjourn by Jeremy Hamm and a second by Eric Graham. Nicole Harrison, board president, and Eric Graham, board secretary, officially submitted the minutes.
