SUMNER — Tracy Mims’ July 16 resignation from the West Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees ended his three terms of service on the board.
Mims, who also is mayor of Webb, said he was leaving the school board to “focus on protecting our children on a macro level as I serve as chair of the Children’s Trust Fund for the state of Mississippi.”
Mims served on the board for 14 years and seven months, representing Education District 4. The last five-year term to which he was elected is set to expire at the end of 2019.
The regularly scheduled qualifying period for school board — in ED 4 as well as in ED 9, a seat on the East Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees — opens Aug. 7 and closes Sept. 6.
Both posts will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballots of voters who live within the geographical boundaries of those education districts.
State law dictates that when a vacancy occurs on a school board at any time during a term, the seat is to be filled by appointment of the remaining school trustees. The person appointed would serve until the next general election, at which time a successor would be elected for the rest of the unexpired term.
For more than three weeks, the WTSD board has found itself without official legal counsel following their 3-2 vote last month to not renew the memorandum of understanding with longtime attorney Rob Tyner effective. The board was scheduled to gather on Tuesday night this week for a special called meeting to discuss the hiring of a new attorney, a school official noted, after which the focus presumably would shift to filling the vacant ED 4 seat.
Mims called his recent decision to resign “one of the hardest decisions in my life.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the West Tallahatchie School District,” he noted in a written statement, adding that he “passionately fought to effect change in the lives of the children in our community.”
Mims also lauded WTSD Superintendent Christopher Furdge, calling him “one of the most critical and forward-thinking superintendents that I have known,” and said he is thankful for having had the opportunity to work with Furdge and his central office administration.
“Thanks to the West Tallahatchie School District and my community for allowing me this experience that will forever be etched in my mind Godspeed!” Mims concluded.
IN THE PHOTO: Tracy Mims (File photo)
NOTE: This story has been updated from its original version.
