READING RETENTION-TRAINING
Mississippi gets $2.4 million to improve reading teachers
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi will get $2.4 million to train veteran teachers to help other teachers improve reading instruction.
The three-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, announced Tuesday, would pay for teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to become literacy coaches.
The foundation’s William Buster says the board will train the teachers, and that teachers will aid summer tutoring programs in 50 poorly performing public school districts.
Under a law taking effect this spring, Mississippi’s 38,000 third-graders must reach basic reading proficiency to be promoted to fourth grade. Students held back are supposed to get special attention.
Some other state reading efforts have looked to literacy coaches to help improve teaching methods. Mississippi has 53 coaches in 78 schools this year, although some local districts had more.
COLLEGE BOARD
Bryant nominates Columbus periodontist to College Board
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is nominating a periodontist to serve on the state College Board.
Dr. John W. Starr Jr. lives in Columbus and has offices there and in Starkville. The 57-year-old is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Bryant announced Tuesday that he’s nominating Starr for a nine-year term that begins later this week. The governor had earlier nominated former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough Jr. for the seat, but Bryant last week named McCullough as the state’s new economic development director.
Although senators confirmed McCullough to the College Board, he says he won’t begin the term because he wants to concentrate on the Mississippi Development Authority job that he begins in June.
Starr will serve while awaiting confirmation, which is not unusual.
GREENVILLE-OFFICER CHARGED
Greenville police officer charged in slaying of her husband
GREENVILLE, Miss. (AP) – A Greenville police officer is charged with murder in the shooting death of her husband.
Sgt. Kyvona Moore is being held in the Washington County jail under $300,000 bond. It was not immediately clear Tuesday whether she has an attorney.
The Delta Democrat-Times reports police responded to a call of a shooting late Saturday at the home where the 41-year-old Moore and her husband, 44-year-old Reginald Moore, were living.
He had been shot in the head and died early Sunday at Delta Regional Medical Center.
If convicted, Kyvona Moore faces life in prison. The case was turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
She is suspended without pay from her job as the police department’s CrimeStoppers coordinator. She had earlier qualified to run for county supervisor this year.
BOOKS DONATED
Kreole Elementary 2nd-grade students get books
MOSS POINT, Miss. (AP) – Children at Kreole Elementary School in Moss Point got the perfect gift for the upcoming summer months. It was the gift of reading.
The newly formed Moss Point Foundation for Academic Excellence raised money to buy 1,000 books to give to every second grader at the school.
WLOX-TV reports foundation officials say that reading at home builds a foundation for future success.
In addition to the book donation, the foundation brought in several guest readers Tuesday to sit down and spend an hour with the students. Those speakers included state Rep. Jeramey Anderson and Jackson County Supervisor Melton Harris. Both said it was an honor and a privilege to participate in the event.
NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT
Huebner is new East Mississippi Community College president
SCOOBA, Miss. (AP) – A veteran Alabama educator is the new president of East Mississippi Community College.
WTVA-TV reports the school’s board of trustees selected Dr. Thomas Huebner to lead the school during a meeting Monday night. He will replace Dr. Rick Young, who retires June 30 after 11 years at EMCC.
Huebner currently serves as the dean of student services at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Huebner says he plans to listen to those in the community, the staff and students when he takes over July 1. After he determines the strengths and challenges facing the school, he says they will move forward together as a community.
EMCC has campuses in Scooba and Mayhew, with extension offices in its six-county district including Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Kemper and Lauderdale counties.
MISSISSIPPI-KENNEDY EXTENSION
Mississippi, coach Kennedy agree to extension through 2019
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi has agreed to a contract extension with men’s basketball coach Andy Kennedy that will keep him at the school until 2019.
The four-year deal, which was announced by the school on Tuesday, is the longest allowed by state law. The school says it includes a base salary of $1.925 million per season, as well as possible performance incentives.
Kennedy, a Louisville, Mississippi native, has led the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament in two of the past three seasons. He just finished his ninth season with the program and his 192 career wins are the most in school history.
Ole Miss is in the midst of building a new on-campus basketball arena that is expected to be ready next year.
