The Attala County School Board voted to hire Bobby Renfrow, originally a candidate for the Ethel High School principalship, to helm Greenlee Elementary School. Culley Newman, Greenlee current principal, was tapped for the Ethel High post.
Renfrow has most recently served as the assistant principal at Gulfport Cental Middle School in Gulfport, a post he has held since June, 2017. His responsibilities have been to oversee seventh-grade academics and discipline, as well as chairman of the MTSS, Safety and Title 1 committees.
He is a graduate of Sebastopol High School and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Delta State University.
From 2009 to 2012, he was a teacher and coach in the Rankin County School District, teaching Science and Physical Education in grades seven through 12, and coaching baseball, slow- and fast-pitch softball, girls powerlifting, boys cross-country, girls track and basketball.
He then spent five years as Lead Teacher at The Learning Center of the Gulfport School District, teaching all classes for the seventh through 12th grades.
Renfrow’s application includes comments that offer insight into his philosophy.
“The principal must be able to manage the teaching staff, lead education and learning for students, and keep the parents and community involved in the school,” he wrote. “The principal should direct the school in a way so that each student receives a well-rounded education and the teaching staff has an enjoyable and productive working environment.”
Renfrow said he’s excited to get started in his new role.
“My family and I are really excited about becoming part of such a great community. I cannot wait to work with the awesome faculty, staff, and students at Greenlee Elementary,” he said.
Other personnel actions
On Monday, the board also voted on the following personnel actions:
Charlene Wasson, teacher at Long Creek Elementary;
Tanner Jones, drivers education at Ethel High;
Terrance Whitten, physical education at Ethel High;
Breanna Lanbert, assistant teacher at Long Creek Elementary;
Michael Huffman, assistant principal at McAdams High School;
Sheila McBride, into classroom;
Icy Perteet, retiring as Family and Consumer Science teacher;
Tylyn Burton; resigns as TST Interventionist at McAdams High School;
Joe Barrett, resigns as teacher and coach at McAdams High School;
Carl Gregory, resigns as Social Studies teacher at McAdams High School;
Chelsea Johnson resigns at teacher at Greenlee Elementary School;
Conor Bell, resigns as band director at Ethel High School and Greenlee Elementary School.
Kristin Fancher, hired to supervise In-School Suspension at Ethel High School;
Pathenia McMichael, hired for ETV position at Ethel High School;
Andrew McFarland, new McAdams principal, hired for 10 days of service during June to prepare for new school year.
District summer and holiday hours
District offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.
School offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.
For the Fourth of July holiday, the district will be closed the entire week, with Monday and Tuesday closures being covered by unused inclement weather days.
New cell phone policy for students
After debate and input from the Attala County School district’s legal counsel, the district has a new cell phone policy, which is included in the newly approved Student Handbook.
Cell phones and other electronic devices cannot be visible during the school day during instructional time or during the school day.
A first violation will lead to confiscation of the device which will be returned to the parent. Second violation adds three days of in-school suspension to the confiscation. The third violation brings five days of ISS, and the fourth is 10 days. Further violations will lead to placement in the alternative school.
