City hires personnel

The City of Holly Springs Mayor and Board of Aldermen went into executive session and came back out to hire workers and appoint a member to the Holly Springs School District board of trustees.

Ejeera Dukes was appointed to the School Board after interviews behind closed doors that included two other candidates, Charise Sims and DeVetta Greer-Bell.

Sims was interviewed in open session before the board continued interviews in executive session.

Sims said she has served as president of the Parent Teacher Organization, as vice chair of the policy council with ICS Head Start and in other capacities.

“I have a great passion for education and have children in school,” Sims said.

Sims said she would focus on academics, and stands for integrity, dependability, trustworthiness and honesty. She would advocate for use of proper resources.

Ward 1 alderman Patricia Fountain asked Sims what she would bring to the school board.

Sims said she would update the curriculum’s technology.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather said education is vital and a school board can make the difference in “the lives of your children, the state of education in Holly Springs.”

“What do you see as the biggest challenge?” the alderman asked Sims.

Sims said she is open-minded to challenges, that children are dropping out and the level of the school is low.

“How can we get back to an “A” or “B” level?” Sims asked. “I would reach out to teachers and ask what steps should we take.”

Merriweather asked what are the responsibilities of a school board member.

“Make sure we get teachers qualified to teach,” Sims said.

Dukes and Greer-Bell were not questioned in open session but rather in executive session, where other appointments were considered.

Other actions were taken in open session after discussing personnel in executive session.

Capt. Kevin White, with the Holly Springs Fire Department, was appointed to serve as safety officer. White will work directly with department heads and with the citizens to decrease traffic accidents. He will be responsible for fire safety education for the city and has helped administer the smoke detectors program. He will also be responsible for drug testing.

White will receive $7,000 extra a year to add safety officer to his duties as firefighter.

Derrick Jefferson was promoted from interim director of Information Technology to director. He has replaced outgoing IT director Albroderick Neely. Jefferson will receive a salary of $47,000 a year.

Gipson held action on three positions pending discussion in executive session after Human Resources Director Pat Dawson stood asking action be held.

“No, Mam. You are out of order,” Gipson said.

Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones asked to consult with Dawson on the proposed hirings.

“Ms. Dawson, do not shake your head,” Gipson said. “She did not follow proper rules and talk to me to inquire. Should Ms. Dawson succeed, she will again be insubordinate.”

“I just want to clarify if it is consensus of the board to hear from a member of the audience,” Jones said. “It appears we spoke for Ms. Dawson in executive session (at a prior meeting).”

“These shenanigans and stunts must cease,” Gipson said.

“Can we move forward?” asked alderman Dexter Shipp.

“We must be professional,” Gipson answered.

Forthwith, Shipp called for an executive session and the board went into executive session to discuss and interview appointees for the school board position, to discuss personnel and potential litigation at the police department and at the utility department, and HSUD rates.

The executive session began at 8:20 p.m. And lasted until about 10:30 p.m.

The following individuals were hired/transferred:

•Jonathon Johnson, transferred to the water division from the wastewater area of the utility department at the same pay rate.

• Christopher Muse, hired as an apprentice lineman with HSUD.

• Kendric Brown, hired in the Right of Way Division of HSUD.

• William R. Payne, hired as apprentice lineman with HSUD.

• Markavion Anderson, transfer from fulltime to part-time in the police department.

• Officer Elkhayyat transferred from reserve to part-time in the police department.

• terminated an officer in the police department.

Other actions by the board of aldermen included:

• acceptance of playground equipment from the Holly Springs School District.

• approval of travel for Curtis Fitts and Marvin Burt to attend storm water training in Tupelo.

• authorization of travel for Municipal Judge Carnelia Fondren to attend the Mississippi Municipal Judges seminar in May.

• approval of travel for police chief Grant Glover to attend the Mississippi Association of Police Chiefs Conference.

• authorization for Pearly Jones to attend Dispatcher Conference in June.

• authorization of travel for the mayor and board of aldermen to attend the Board Member Management Training in May.

• authorization of the Ida B. Wells Statue installation in Spring Hollow Park (Ida B. Wells Park).

• approval of traffic control for the Soul/Blues Mega Fest Sunday May 28 in Sam Coopwood Park.

A change order for the Cast Iron Project with Mid-South Boring & Piping was discussed and approved.

Attorney John Keith Perry updated the board on the project which originally was approved as a Rural Development Loan through the United States Department of Agriculture. In October 2017 the project was let for $6.378 million. Phase II was awarded to Mid-South Boring & Piping at $2,203,631 and the contractor asked to void the contract because of an increase in cost of materials.

Perry said the change order is for $2,783,762 and involves a 26.3 percent increase in the cost.

Perry said the change order recommended by Elliott and Britt Engineers would increase the cost of the project by about 26.3 percent bringing the total cost to $2,783,762.

Perry said it is not practical to rebid the project.

The contractor said he could not perform the work at the original bid price because of inflation in the cost of material.