Jason Roberson wears many hats at the Newton County School District as a Specialist. Recently,
the district honored Roberson for a new hat that he’s earned, not at the district, but in service to the country.
District Superintendent Brooke Sibley opened the September 9 board meeting by recognizing the invaluable Roberson and his latest accomplishment.
“Mr. Roberson serves as our district specialist. Not only does he work with the alternative school and PreK, but he also works with purchasing and maintenance,” said Sibley. “He is a huge benefit to this district and we’re very, very thankful to have him.”
Sibley then announced that Roberson was recently promoted to the rank of Major by the Mississippi National Guard.
“Major Roberson has been assigned as the S4 Supply Officer for the 154th Regiment Regional Training Institute Camp at Camp Shelby,” Sibley read aloud. “We are honored to have him on our campus and leading our students.”
After accepting the recognition, Roberson thanked Sibley and the district.
“I’m very blessed and fortunate to work with a school district that supports us that serve in the military because, much like myself, there are a number of people that are currently serving or have served, and every time we have to step away for the obligation of the Air Guard or Army Guard, you’re always very supportive and I appreciate that.”
In other news from the meeting:
-Approved the meeting agenda.
-Approved a Wheeler Drug Store Flu Vaccination Proposal.
-Approved donations for Cheer Boosters, Golf, Tennis (for State Championship Rings), and Soccer (Kenneth Thompson abstained from voting due to being on the soccer staff).
-Approved a request for a Special Education Teacher position. According to Sibley, the district needs to add an additional classroom and will fill the teacher position from within the district at this time. There is potential for needing to hire an additional teacher later. She added the number of young students in self-contained classes are close to max.
-Approved a teaching and nurse substitute.
-Approved the monthly Financial Report from Director of Finances Cay Clark. According to Clark, the district has brought in 10% of the revenue budgeted, while the district has spent 12% of expenditures budgeted, adding that neither is unusual at the beginning of the year.
-Approved the Claims Docket.
-Approved the Consent Agenda, which included the following items: District 2024 Test Security Plan, Fixed Assets Disposals, Fixed Asset Summary, Student Transfers according to Policy, August 12 meeting minutes, LEP Plan, District Student Attendance Report, and District Employee Attendance Report.
-Heard reports of the NCES NCHS 2023-24 State Test Scores highlights, as well as contingency plans for the areas that could use improvement.
-The board ended the meeting by collectively filling out a 2025 MSBA Legislative Survey.
