[6/2/04]Three administrative slots in the Vicksburg Warren School District are up for grabs, and administrators say they have little idea of who will fill the positions.

The vacant jobs are director of special education, Vicksburg Junior High School principal and assistant principal at Warren Central High School.

The special education position is available because director Debra Bowers resigned to take the same position at Biloxi Public Schools.

“We’re still looking and trying to develop a contingency plan should we not find someone to fill this position,” said Superintendent James Price. “It’s a crucial position. The legal ramifications of federally protected students that fall under the jurisdiction of the special education director are tremendous.”

Students with disabilities are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Price recommended to the board of trustees at a meeting May 17 that Jack Grogan be hired for the special education position and Joel Avery become principal at Vicksburg Junior.

Though the vote is not known because it was taken in a closed session, the five-member board did not approve Price’s recommendations.

Despite postings on the district’s and the state department of education’s Web site and mailouts to metropolitan areas in the state, Price said, no one since Grogan has applied.

Vicksburg Junior is lacking a principal because Ray Hume, who’s been at the school for 11 years, will replace Mary Hodges, who resigned, at Warrenton Elementary School.

Eleven applicants have interviewed for the principal’s position at Vicksburg Junior, Price said.

“We’re still attempting to fill that position.”

The assistant principal’s position is open at WCHS because Gloria Sims was tapped by Price and approved by the board to become the principal at Grove Street. She will oversee students in over-age, GED, vocational and alternative programs.

Job candidates are screened by a committee made up of administrators, parents and teachers as suggested by the Strategic Plan.