Thursday Feb. 7,
2013
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 33
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • One section
AdvancED presents school exit report BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A positive accreditation report for the Corinth School District includes two required actions going forward. AdvancED presented its external review exit report to the district’s board of trustees and some staff members on Wednesday. Lead Evaluator Lucille Wolfrey of Florida said the team will recommend accreditation, pending further review. The final report will be positive, she said. The required actions for the
district include developing a formal advocacy program for all students and preparing a community-wide literacy initiative designed to address the needs of the bottom quartile of students to assist in narrowing the achievement gap. After two years, the district must report on how it has addressed the required actions. The district is evaluated by the accrediting agency every five years. “We found many things about this system that were wonderful,” said Wolfrey.
AdvancED praised the use of the University of Cambridge model. “We found that the students are really pleased with that,” said Wolfrey. Other positives identified in the exit report: ■ The district’s successful use of grants; ■ The autonomy between the board and system leadership; ■ A superintendent who is a strong instructional leader; ■ System-wide staff who are invested in student learning;
■ A comprehensive professional development program; and ■ Strong community suport. “The community support in this district is almost unbelievable,” said Wolfrey. The on-site evaluation included interviews with 129 stakeholders in the district, from the superintendent and board members to students and teachers. A formal report will be completed in about 30 days. Superintendent Lee Childress praised all of the staff for their contributions to the positive out-
come. “In many cases, these are things that economic developers will look for,” he said. In response to the required actions, he said the district will need to have a formal system that links students with an adult advocate and to do things in the community that reinforce the importance of literacy. The evaluation team also included Becky Terry of Grenada; Toni Bell of Senatobia; Cindy Mize of Oxford; and Robert Nielson of Avilla, Ind.
Arena dealing with power, water issues BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
North Corinth Christian Academy students Dylan Hill (left) and Garrison Norman (right) talk over ideas for the Art for the Shelter Project. (See additional photo, 2)
Crossroads Arena officials are close to resolving an electrical issue at the facility. The facility suffered damage to its transfer switch from a lightning strike last month, leaving the building without a backup system. “We are waiting on a fourth quote and maybe we can make a decision by the end of the week,” said operations manager Greg Moss on Wednesday during the February meeting of the board. The board also learned of two other issues facing the facility. A water leak caused the arena's bill to rise to $6,800.
“We found a pipe had burst in a ditch,” said Moss. Corinth Gas and Water reduced the bill to $4,300. The board expressed a desire to have further talks with the water department in hopes of reducing the bill even further. The normal bill for the facility ranges from $400 to $800, according to arena manager Tammy Genovese. Quotes are also needed to fix the beer cooler compressor that has been in operation for 12 years. In other board business: ■ welcomed new member Please see ISSUES | 3
Shelter art contest deadlines today Arena wants to build on early year success BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Students are stepping up for the shelter. Around six North Corinth Christian Academy high school students have expressed interest in the Art for the Shelter Project started by Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter volunteer Jacinda Byrom. “We have some kids who are excited,” said Byrom. Today is the deadline for those interested in helping give the shelter a new look. The contest began Jan. 28 with students needing to turn in a participant form to their teacher by today. The project calls for high school students to use their skills in art, interior design, landscaping, metal work and carpentry to renovate the shelter. “I am thinking about design-
ing something for the front entrance and bonding room,” said NCCA student Kaleb Chester. Chester said he has a rough draft of an abstract art idea. He was talking up the idea with fellow student Chris Lambert, who is also exploring the idea of signing up for the project. “I had given some thought about volunteering at the shelter before the project came up,” said Lambert. “It (project) gives me the opportunity to practice my computer drafting skills.” In the contest, the shelter will be divided into 12 areas or rooms. Students can pick one or more rooms to design. A first place, second place and honorable mention winner will be selected in each room. The top two winners in each room will be awarded $100 and $50 in scholarship money -- provided
by the CREATE Foundation. All first place designs will be the ones used in the rooms. The theme to be used for each who take part is “Animals in Literature.” “The kids love it,” said NCCA High School Supervisor Shanna Hale. “From the second Jacinda came in and talked about it, the kids have been excited.” “North Corinth has really gotten into the project with all its ideas,” added Byrom. Judging in the project is set for March 1-2. Work is scheduled to start March 11 and end on April 16, with an open house to view the spruced up shelter slated for April 18-20. For more information about the project go to www.artfortheshelter.weebly.com or contact Byrom at jbyrom@una.edu or by phone at 662-415-1285.
BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Crossroads Arena wants to build on momentum following a successful beginning of the year. Board members had a lengthy agenda to cover during its first meeting of February on Wednesday. “We have struggled a lot of years out here, but I feel better about the arena than I ever have,” said chairman Dr. Hardwick Kay. Kay's strong outlook comes on the heels of two successful events last month and a better relationship with the Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Tourism) Board.
“I talked with Luke (Doehner) about setting up a lunch meeting with the tourism board and they are all for it,” said the arena board chairman. Doehner is the new tourism board chairman. Kay said the two boards will get together after a new tourism director is hired. The seven-person board was given a final update on the success of the Alcorn Farm & Machinery-Home & Outdoor Show by operations manager Greg Moss. “The auction exceeded last year's by $3,000,” said Moss. Moss also expressed a desire Please see SUCCESS | 2
Legislation ACTC students would stop celebrate tech ed month state mandate BY BOBBY J. SMITH
bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
A local legislator’s bill seeks to give counties the options on whether or not to establish seats for more justice court judges and constables. The current law requires Alcorn County to go up to three judges and three constables for the next election cycle. House Bill 1568, auBain thored by District 2 Rep. Nick Bain, will give county supervisors the option to add an-
Students and faculty at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center will join others across the nation this month to celebrate national Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. The theme this year is “Carer and Technical Education Works!” CTE Month provides CTE programs across the country an opportunity to demonstrate how CTE educates students to be ready for college and careers and prepares them for high-wage, high-demand career fields. “The activities planned over the next month will illustrate the rigor and relevance CTE courses offer our students,” said Richard Turner, director
Please see BAIN | 2
Please see CTE | 2
BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
Submitted photo
Mayor Tommy Irwin signed a proclamation in honor of Career and Technical Education Month on Tuesday. Joining Irwin are Alcorn Career and Technical Center students (from left) Jamie Smith, John Andrews, Deonta Williams, Adam Price, Jonathan Shaw and Kabreea Moore.
Index Stocks........8 Classified...... 15 Comics........ 9 State........ 5
Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
On this day in history 150 years ago The Confederate ironclads CSS Tuscaloosa and CSS Huntsville are launched at Confederate Naval Works at Selma, Ala. They are sent to Mobile to be fitted with guns and to protect the city from the U.S. fleet. Both ships are covered with 4-inch iron plating, but have woefully underpowered engines.