Jeremy Burnett became the newest member of the Lakeland School Board (LSB) tonight (7.1.19) prior to a special session at City Hall.
Mr. Burnett was sworn in by Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright at 5:30 p.m.
During the June 26th BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting, Mr. Burnett was appointed to fill the remaining term of Geoff Hicks, who moved from Lakeland in June and resigned from the LSB.
Board Member Teresa Henry, near tears at times, said she was sad to announce she was resigning from the School Board. She said she and her husband are downsizing and no longer live in Lakeland.
She was among the first school board members elected in November 2013. The election of Mrs. Henry, along with Kevin Floyd and Laura Harrison, a year earlier was set aside when there was a challenge in federal court regarding the constitutionality of forming municipal schools in Shelby County.
In July 2013, Lakeland residents approved forming a school system after Memphis City Schools gave up their charter. The action forced the merger of Memphis and Shelby County Schools and municipalities within Shelby County voted to form their own school systems.
In her statement to Board Members, Mrs. Henry said she has always advocated for the children of Lakeland. “The children of Lakeland have always been a priority.”
She noted there has been a vocal group saying there was no need for a high school in Lakeland. She said that group was wrong and thanked the Lakeland BOC for coming together to fund the high school. BOC members in May approved consecutively two funding mechanisms which would finance the first high school in Lakeland.
To Dr. Ted Horrell, Lakeland School System superintendent, she said, “It’s been a privilege to work with you.”
Kevin Floyd, LSB chair, said, “There are no words. It’s been an honor and privilege to serve with you.”
Dr. Horrell said he will submit Mrs. Henry’s resignation to the BOC and a decision will be made to either appoint a replacement or have a special election.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/A2ChT3AtKGGE8zVm6
Link to meeting agenda: https://lakelandk12.org/res/web/07.01.19%20SC/07.01.19%20Special%20Called%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8736217
All items on the agenda were approved unanimously by the Board.
Dr. Horrell said bleachers and the press box are finished at the LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) fields and there is now seating for 1,000 spectators. “It will be a different viewing experience,” he said of the bleachers. He said he is excited that the girls’ soccer team will be able to play their fall games on the natural turf soccer field.
In Lakeland, school starts for students Aug. 12th.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
