During their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, the Itawamba County School Board approved hiring Michael Cates as Tremont Attendance Center principal to replace outgoing principal Eddie Moore.

Moore resigned to take a similar position at Pontotoc High School. Cates served as assistant principal at Tremont during the past school year.

Cates said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Tremont's students.

"I'm very excited about taking over at Tremont Attendance Center and hope to continue some of the changes started under Principal Moore's leadership," Cates said. "I hope we can continue to be an excellent school. I appreciate the school board's trust in me."

Superintendent Teresa McNeece said Cates' qualifications earned him the job.

"Mr. Cates was recommended as principal of Tremont Attendance Center due to his experience the last two years as assistant principal at that school," she said. "He has an excellent working relationship with the faculty and staff at Tremont as well as the community."

Currently, the school board has no plans to replace the assistant principal position left open by the change in leadership.

Tremont PTO expressed continued concern regarding busing issues. PTO representative Kerry Peden once again appealed to board members to stop Franklin County, Ala., buses from entering Itawamba County to pick up students.

"I would like to see us take an aggressive approach to this situation which has continued for 25 years," Peden said. "It seems to me that it is time to put a stop to it.

"I believe the buses can be stopped, even if it means a lawsuit," Peden continued. "They are infringing on our territory and rather than shrinking the length of the route, they are expanding.

Peden said although he didn't want to limit the options of any student in Itawamba County or otherwise, he said a line needed to be drawn.

Board member Clara Brown questioned whether or not if the buses are stopped, would the parents transport their students to Red Bay schools anyway.

"My main objective is to stop the Franklin County buses from picking up these students," Peden replied. "If their parents want to transport these kids to Alabama, that will be their choice."

In answer, McNeece said, "We have no control over buses outside Mississippi. I've sent the information they requested concerning decisions regarding this matter made some 25 years ago. They have our meeting minutes and it is theirs to act on now, but I haven't had a reply.

McNeece added that Itawamba County buses would never cross state lines to pick up students.

"I would like to see Michelle (Floyd, board attorney) look into what can be done to stop the buses from coming into Mississippi to pick up students," said Jackie Nichols, second district board member.

Brown added that she would like to send a letter to the Franklin County School Board stating the position of the Itawamba County School Board's stance on the matter.

In other business, the board

* Approved Cates' request to close the road running through Tremont's campus to increase security. This will enable visitors to be more closely monitored since they will need to register in at the office before being on campus.

Cates said he plans to add a fence to stop drivers and a new parking lot (using money which they have already raised for this project). The board authorized Cates to seek bids on both the fencing and parking lot projects.

* Approved Houston RCDC's request to tear down the old school building in order to build a new building.

* Accepted resignations from Eddie Moore, Wilma Jones and Wanda Lentz.

* Approved hiring summer workers for a four week period

* Approved hiring Melissa Johnson, Tremont janitor, and Nita Crowell, part-time psychomestrist.

* Approved paying unused leave to employees who lost their positions due to reduction in force.

* Approved Lisa Kendrick's donation of sick leave days to Vanessa Sartin.

* Approved deletions at central office, Mantachie Elementary and High schools and IAHS.

* Approved paying architectural fees to DWC for work done regarding IAHS roof.

* Approved paying dues to MSBA and MASS.

* Accepted $6,500 insurance money from a private party in payment for IAHS driver's ed car which was totaled in a wreck earlier this year.

* Approved making repairs at Mantachie school using QSCB funds.

During a special meeting held Thursday, June 3, the Itawamba County School Board accepted the low bid of $319,000 from Accurate Roofing for the reroofing of IAHS. Accurate was the low bidder of those who submitted bids. Money for these repairs will come from QSCB (Qualified School Construction Bond). QSCB funds can only be used for construction or remodeling and not for salaries or other expenses.