by Hunter Dawkins

Last Tuesday evening, a large crowd filled the hall for an exciting time at the Pass Christian School District Central Office in Delisle.  After announcing four winners of the Parents of the Year Award for each school in the Pass Christian School District, Superintendent Dr. Carla Evers delivered the final curtain call for the high school winner, Mark Lafontaine.

Lafontaine was chosen as the 2018 Pass Christian School District Parent of the Year for the extensive work he has done at all of the events and functions he has done for the high school.  “He does pretty much anything,” said Pass Christian High School Principal Robyn Killebrew, expressing the appreciation for all of the work LaFontaine provided.

Before the awards were announced, the swearing-in of Interim School Board Member Avra O’Dwyer to a full term was the first item on the agenda.  Immediately after; Duane Wilson, the public relations representative for Chemours Inc., presented a carbon analyzer from the company to the school district.  This piece used for scientific lab purposes was worth $93,000.

Following this, the crowd became energetic, as Pass Christian School Board President Margaret Jean Kalif and Dr. Evers recognized each school principal, who spoke of the winner and that person’s support for the school.  In Delisle Elementary, the winner of Parent of the Year was Nella Morvant, Andrea Peacock in Pass Elementary, Shawn Welter in Pass Middle, and Lafontaine as the Pass High recipient.  Lafontaine remained in place, as Evers delivered him the award from the school district.

The School Board kept the election of the officers with the same status with Kalif as President, Scott Naugle as the Vice President, and Walter “Skip” King as the secretary.

Four items were unanimously approved on the consent agenda, including interfund transfers, maintenance contracts, fixed asset additions plus disposals, a families first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Out of State Trip for the Robotics Team to Kentucky and the petition to transfer students from one school district to another.

Dr. Evers mentioned in her report of her recent trip to the State Senate floor for all of the A-school district’s superintendents along with the success of the Pass Robotics Team at the Middle School.  Towards the end, Evers spoke of Pass High School having 3 National Merit Finalists.

Student Representative Jada Flores addressed the school board about Pass High’s play, “Peter Pan” and the choir concert, which will be performed at the end of this month.  Additionally, Flores added that among the High School Band, 10 students came home with awards at the recent competition in February.

Finally, two executive sessions occurred before recess discussing purchasing land and personnel issue.  No action was taken on either matter.