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Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 122
• Corinth, Mississippi •
Partly sunny Today
Tonight
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22 pages • Two sections
ACHS parents rally around Coach McCay BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A group of concerned parents is still seeking answers from the Alcorn School District about the non-renewal of high school football coach Jim McCay’s contract. More than 20 concerned individuals along with McCay met Thursday evening to discuss the issue. It received attention again at a special meeting of the Alcorn School District Board of Trustees Friday afternoon. For legal reasons related to McCay being a first-year employee, the school district said in a board meeting on Monday that it cannot discuss the coach’s non-renewal. However, on Friday, district officials said
there could be some leeway for discussion if McCay provides a signed statement waiving his privacy rights. “We’ll allow y’all to set up an appointment with Mrs. Smith, and he can invite the people he wants to be there,” said Board President Randy Wilbanks. Parents had suggested that Superintendent Gina Rogers Smith meet with the students. She said McCay was notified in a letter of the reason his contract will not be renewed. McCay, who led the struggling Golden Bear high school football team to one win this season, said in Thursday night’s meeting that he has been placed on paid administrative leave and has no choice but to look
for other jobs. But “I want to coach here next year,” he told the group of parents. Without naming the source, he said in January he was told that it was considered a conflict that he was dating an individual whose son was playing on the football team. On April 20, he was notified by phone that his contract would not be renewed. He said he was advised that it would be best for his future if he resigned. “I wrote a letter of resignation and thought about it for a day,” said McCay. “I said, ‘No, this isn’t right. I’m withdrawing my letter of resignation.’” Last week he sent a letter to the superintendent and school
‘To Protect and to Swerve’
board notifying them that he has not retained legal counsel and requesting answers about the reason he is being let go. It was stated in Thursday’s meeting that attorney Danny Lowrey represented McCay on a volunteer basis at Monday’s meeting of the school board. Parents are frustrated that they have not received specific answers about McCay’s nonrenewal from school district officials. Leigh Turner said students like the coach and want to know why he cannot come back for a second year. Some are threatening to quit the team if the coach does not return. “Legally, you’re right,” she told the board. “You don’t have
County schools grapple with phone policies BY JEFF YORK Special to the Daily Corinthian
Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
Corinth Police Department personnel present at Thursday’s afternoon driving session included Officer Matt Wood, Officer Ken Edmonds, Detective Fred Serio, Lt. Landon Tucker, Officer Nick Walden and Detective Heather Glass.
Officers participate in driving training BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The Corinth Police Department wrapped up a session of drivers training on Thursday. The course was comprised of morning classroom sessions at the Justice Center and afternoon driving challenges at Crossroads Arena.
“We’re constantly working to update our training and skills,” said Capt. Chuck Hinds, the director of training. “And it’s not just about pursuit — we spend a lot of time on defensive driving, how to protect the public and still be able to do our duty.” Much of the training on the driving course focused on the
techniques of making turns. In the slalom course officers drove through turning gates placed 45 feet apart. In the cloverleaf course, the drivers were required to navigate the course without touching their breaks, using only throttle and steering. Please see DRIVING | 10A
to tell us nothing. But morally, why can’t we get the answers that we need for our kids?” She said the situation is “hurting Central as a school.” The parents presented a petition on Monday and have discussed picketing in support of the coach. McCay’s non-renewal comes at a time when parents say the football program is generating new enthusiasm at the school. “Year before last, we had just enough to play football,” James Jackson said Thursday night. “If somebody got hurt, we were through. This year, we got 40 kids. How did we get those? By word of mouth and a coach that got in there and tried to get the kids to play ball.”
The popular use of cell phones has added another item to the list of things for teachers and administrators to keep an eye on in the classrooms. Administrators with the Corinth School District and the Alcorn County School District have various ways of trying to police student’s cell phones in the school buildings. Dr. Lee Childress, superintendent of the Corinth School District, said it is common for young people to have cell phones now and school officials just try to make sure they do not interfere with classroom instruction. “We have to realize this is the way a lot of students communicate today either verbally or through writing messages,” said Dr. Childress. “We (administrators and teachers) want to make sure the students are paying attention in the classroom and we have security in the assessment of tests.” Wayne Henry, assistant superintendent of schools in Alcorn County, said all schools in the county follow the same protocol for the use of cell phones and electronic devices. “Our students are not allowed to use their cell phones
School Cell Phone Policies Corinth School District If caught using a cell phone during school hours: A student will lose their phone for 5 days for first violation, parents pick up phone. A student will lose their phone for 10 days for second violation, parents pick up phone. A student will lose their phone for rest of the school year after the 3rd violation, parents pick up phone. Alcorn School District If caught using a cell phone during school hours: A student will lost their phone for 6 weeks for violation or can choose to pay $20 fine, parents pick up phone. Note: Fine money goes into each school’s activity account. Each system will invalidate a test score, if a student uses their phone during a test period. or electronic devices (pagers) during the school day,” said Henry. “We have to make sure they do not use the cameras on their phones to copy tests.” Please see CELL | 2A
Boys and Girls Club employees honored BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Ronald Edmond has two jobs. His heart belongs to the one with the Boys & Girls Club. It’s that kind of affection for the club that earned Edmond the Magnolia Chapter of Mississippi Part-Time Professional of the Year. “Ronald is so committed to the club,” said unit director Christy Grice. “He makes a lot of sacrifices at home just to be here.” The 1990 Corinth High School graduate, who also works at Auto Parts Manufacturing in Guntown, has been part of the club the last seven
years. “I love the club,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you are if the kids see you, they treat you as some kind of a superstar.” Edmond has really been busy since the arrival of Grice last June. He has worked with the youngsters on such projects as the Scarecrow Contest and Angel Prayer Breakfast. It was the breakfast event, where he played the part of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and sang during the Christmas program. “I give Ms. Christy a lot of credit,” he said. “She makes you think outside the box.” Growing up, Edmond didn’t think of the club as being that
big. He has since changed his mind. “I really enjoy working with the kids,” said Edmond. “Some times you don’t think they are paying attention to what you are trying to tell them, but they really are.” His main advice to kids is to stay in schools. “Factory life is okay, but if I had to do it over I would have went back to school and finished what I started,” said the part-time club employee. “Getting an education is something I want them all to do.” Those one-on-one talks are important for a child, accord-
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Please see HONOREES | 3A
Boys & Girls Club Unit Director Christy Grice was awarded the Community Service honor by the local NAACP Chapter.
Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......9B Comics Inside Wisdom......6B
Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports......8A
On this day in history 150 years ago Beauregard plans a bold gamble to attack the Federals before they can consolidate their recent gains. Polk will attack on the left and Van Dorn on the right. Troops are moved into position to attack the next morning.