[06/21/02]A 23-year veteran of education was selected by the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees Thursday night to be the new principal at Warren Central Junior High School.

Pam Wilbanks, 43, fills the spot left vacant when four-year principal Charles Tolliver was named principal of Vicksburg High School last month. Tolliver filled the spot left vacant when Don Taylor retired.

Wilbanks, 43, began her teaching career in Ackerman and later taught for two years at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Vicksburg. She moved to Warren Junior in 1982.

At Warren Junior, she has been an English teacher and became assistant principal four years ago.

Her salary and that of all principals has not been established, but Tolliver was paid $60,000 annually.

Wilbanks was selected from seven candidates who were interviewed by an eight-member committee of parents, teachers and community members who rate and recommend the top candidate to District Superintendent Donald Oakes, who makes the final selection.

Oakes said he and the committee “felt Wilbanks had the best characteristics and the best talents to lead Warren Junior High to its next level.”

In other matters, the board:

Adopted a notification policy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act advising that certain information has been determined to be “directory information” under the act and requires parents (or students over 18) to notify the district in writing if they want some or all of the student’s information to not be released. The proposed adoption was made in order to require an affirmative opt-out by parents to prevent the release of information.

Approved a request that the district pay the $20 cost of the first administration of the WorkKeys Test for employees who have had at least two years of college and choose to take the test. The WorkKeys test is designed by the state to meet federal requirements that all paraprofessionals working in Title I schools have at least two years of college or pass a “rigorous exam.” Employees under the mandate employed as of Jan. 8, 2002 have four years to meet the standard. Any new employee after the date will be required to attend college or pay the cost of the test.

Accepted a low bid from Fulton Inc. for accoustical work to reduce the decibel level at Sherman Avenue and Dana Road. The acceptance was made with the stipulation that the district get a written guarantee from Johnson Bailey Henderson McNeel Architects, which is requesting to issue an owner/contractor agreement to Fulton, Inc. in the amount of $77,900.00 and a notice to proceed with the work immediately.

Rejected bids for new maintenance and transportation support vehicles exceeding the state contract price by $20,303.15. The low bid was submitted by Watson Quality Ford in Jackson. The district will purchase the vehicles on the state contract at 2002 prices.

Submitted an addendum for compensation for extra duties to the original contracts of licensed employees.

Accepted recommendations for new staff for the 2002-2003 school year, as well as summer employment for the maintenance department.

Accepted a high bid of $4,800 for hunting and fishing rights on 21st section land at Blakely by the current lessee; also accepted a bid on 16th Section land at Bovina of $995 with the understanding that the current lessee has the right to match the bid amount within 10 days.

Approved a request of a $14,000 salary for Marisol Gonzales, who has agreed to serve as a full-time tutor for students with limited English speaking skills. Gonzales has been serving in a part-time capacity.

Approved a request that contracts for the 2002-03 school year not be issued for certified personnel retiring or resigning from the district.

Approved 2002-2003 salary schedules for secretaries, career center technicians, finance clerks, custodians, bus drivers and bus monitors. The schedules were used in the budget for fiscal year 2002-2003.

Approved the 2002-03 Professional Development Plan, which includes activities planned for each school and department. The plan meets the criteria set by the Mississippi Department of Education.

Approved various out-of-state travel for Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School bands, and other district school staff.

Approved a request that two teachers and one speech pathologist attend training in North Carolina July 16-20 to prepare for two classes the district will have next year for students with autism.

Accepted various cash and material donations.