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Three new principals were approved for Sumter High, York West End and Kinterbish Junior High by
the Sumter School Board of Education (BOE) Tuesday, evening July 8.
All five board members present voted in favor of appointing Lauderdale County School
Administrator Richard Kelly as Sumter County High School (SCHS) principal.
Kelly served as Special Programs Director in Lauderdale County, building level principal for
elementary through high school, and was a classroom instructor for nine years.
“I am looking forward to working with the school board and Dr. Primm in carrying out the mission and
the vision the Sumter County School district,” commented Kelly.
Livingston High School Assistant Principal Herman Wallace, Jr. was appointed principal at York West
End Junior High.
Wallace, a graduate of York West End and Sumter High School himself, has been a classroom
instructor, football coach, and assistant principal at Livingston High for twenty years.
Rita Bryant-Eartha was appointed as principal at Kinterbish Junior High. Eartha was a classroom
instructor at YWE before serving as interim principal for the past school term.
Dyana Thomas recommended
The school board took no action after being presented with a four page petition asking that former
school board member Dyana Thomas be considered for the principal position at Sumter High.
Thomas served as principal at Choctaw County High School and Greene County High School before
he plead guilty to felony mail fraud in September 2007.
Thomas was highly regarded by administrators, parents, and students at Choctaw High, who turned
out in droves to appeal for his position as principal, before he chose to resign amid allegations of
mis-appropriating school funds.
Thomas also received high marks at Greene County High before his conviction led to his
termination.
Thomas also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, one of the qualifications mentioned on the
request presented by Jacqueline Kirkland, spokesperson for the York West End Parent Group.
While not specifically mentioning Thomas’ name, Kirkland addressed the board asking that the
voices and feelings of citizens she represented be heard.
In her petition to the board, Kirkland mentioned “a man who was entrusted with thousands of
soldiers in his care.”
“This concerned parent group wants a partnership. We no longer wish to be talked at, we want to be
talked to,” stated Kirland.
“We want to be assured that when you are hiring personnel for our school that you consider the
best possible candidate for the job and not let personal views or agendas get in the way.
“Consider that our children deserve the best. We need a strong, young male figure that is not afraid
of the challenge that our high school is facing. One who is not afraid to go into battle to assure that
drugs, alcohol, and a lack of discipline is not tolerated, and assure the safety of all students,”
Kirkland stated.
Kirkland also told the board the parent group is concerned about air conditioning, textbooks,
building safety, drugs, and alcohol at the schools.
Gloria Townsend, Kinterbish Parent Group Spokesperson, also spoke to the board stating that
textbooks were also an issue with her group.
Townsend invited the board to come out to the community they represent and talk with the
supporters that voted for them.
Townsend also asked that her group be involved with personnel decisions along with curriculum
choices.
“We want a chance to work with you,” stated Townsend.
Superintendent Dr. Fred Primm assured both Kirkland and Townsend he and the board are
concerned and working on the matters they mentioned.
Dr. Primm informed the two that education budget cuts affected the textbook situation but steps are
being taken to provide as many books, new and used, as possible.
Dr. Primm also mentioned an in-school suspension program as a way to help with discipline at
school.
Dr. Primm also said steps are being taken to provide units that produce air conditioning as well as
heat for classrooms in need as well as some other renovations.
In an earlier statement, Dr. Primm said safety for students is the number one priority for the board.
School Board President Toby Fitch thanked both speakers as well as the delegation accompanying
them in the audience for coming and presenting their concerns to the board.
In other matters:
The board approved the payment of payroll, bills, and other expenses.
Chief Financial Officer Patrick Harris reported an ending balance of $744,508. Harris explained
reimbursement funds from the state did not arrive before the month ended so they were not
reflected on the June report.
The funds on hand will be closer to $1.5 million after the funds are added which is the desired
amount for the general fund Dr. Primm explained.
Four board members approved hiring all school personnel recommended by Dr. Primm after a 20
minute executive session.
Board Pres. Fitch asked for a executive session to discuss the “good name and character” of two
employees, after Board member Julene Delaine recommended discussing “allegations” about them.
Following the session, Board member Wendell Larkin offered the motion to approve hiring all
employees and Board member Sharon Thomas seconded it. Delaine voted against the motion.
The board accepted the resignation of Livingston Second Grade Teacher Melanie Daffin-Jones.
The board appointed Cynthia Jemison as assistant principal at Livingston High and Melissa Woods
as assistant principal at Sumter High.