Jason Young has been hired as the White Hall School District’s new assistant superintendent, effective July 1.
Young is presently principal at Bobby G. Lester Elementary in the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District. White Hall Superintendent Gary Williams said Young has 27 years of education experience, 16 of which have been as a principal at elementary and high schools. Young previously served as principal at Maumelle High and Sylvan Hills Elementary in the Pulaski County Special School District.
“I’m excited about coming on board,” Young said. “What I see happening in White Hall aligns perfect with what I want to do with students. They are doing an excellent job in White Hall. I am thrilled and honored to be selected for the job.”
Young will succeed Debbie Jones, who is set to retire at the end of the school year. Young added he will have “huge shoes” to fill.
“There may be some minor shifts and responsibilities, but he’s going to have involvement in curriculum along with Dianna Herring (district curriculum director) and work with special education and other student services,” Williams said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
BONUSES
The WHSD board on Tuesday also approved one-time bonuses of $1,500 for certified staff members and $1,000 for classified staff members.
DISTRICT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Several accomplishments by WHSD students were announced at the board meeting:
— High school agriculture students competed at the Southern District Leadership Development Event in January and earned multiple top finishes. Many qualified for the state competition in several speaking events.
— Taylor Elementary’s stock market team won first place in its region and earned a top-25 ranking out of more than 2,900 nationwide.
— Half of the participants from White Hall High at the State Beta Convention in January qualified for nationals across a wide range of academic, artistic and technical events. One student who received a “Golden Ticket” honor will perform at the national opening ceremony this summer.
— Students earned top-four finishes, medals and cash prizes at the Jan. 21 WHSD Spelling Bee. These high finishers have moved onto the county Spelling Bee.
— The middle school FBLA members attended the District 3 Spring Leadership Conference this month. The chapter was recognized as the largest in District 3. “Students also represented the school on stage with confidence and strong communication skills,” according to the district memo. “Members earned multiple first- and second-place finishes in competitive events and will advance to the Middle Level State Conference in April.”
PERSONNEL MOVES
The district hired Joshua Chandler as a diesel mechanic, Jason Phillips as a bus driver and Nick Stafford as a shop assistant.
Jeannine Shirley will retire as a second-grade teacher at Hardin Elementary, effective June 30.