TYLERTOWN — Walthall County school board members shored up the faculty and staff for this school year, but still have a few slots to fill.
Last week the board voted to hire Danielle Hall as the district’s food service director. They also amended the position’s beginning pay to match that of a beginning teacher.
“She said this would actually be a pay cut, but this is where she wants to be,” Superintendent Wade Carney said.
Members also approved the appointment of Robin Duncan as interim principal of Tylertown Primary School, replacing Libby McKenzie, who decided to retire.
Another hire is William Lofton, the first teacher of the district’s new law and public safety course at the career and technology center. He holds a Ph.D. and has taught criminal justice at the University of Southern Mississippi and Jones County Junior College, as well as serving as a patrol officer in Sumrall.
“I happened to talk to a former USM student who had taken his classes and highly recommended him,” Carney said.
The district could be in the market for a driver’s education teacher. Carney said the district is considering offering one period of driver’s education at both Salem and Tylertown.
“Some parents approached us, so we’ll try to do that,” he said.
District officials looked at offering a summer driver’s ed program, but Carney said the district probably wouldn’t have personnel available then.
As of the July 18 meeting, the board was still seeking two and possibly three special education teachers, as well as a welding instructor at the CTC. Former welding instructor Joel Duckworth resigned for a position in the private sector.
“The economy’s up, and he can make so much more in business,” Carney said.
