Pascagoula-Gautier board elects officers, approves consent agenda and reviews cardiac emergency policy and finances

The Pascagoula-Gautier School District Board of Trustees elected Tracy Jackson Wilson president and Matt Johnson secretary at its February meeting, approved a consent agenda and several routine items, and reviewed a first reading of a cardiac emergency response policy.

The board approved the consent agenda by a 5-0 vote and later approved a docket of claims for January 2025 by a 4-0 vote. Trustees also voted 5-0 to close a determined executive session related to four items and policy JDCCA. No dissenting votes were recorded on the officer elections: Wilson’s nomination for president and Johnson’s nomination for secretary each passed 5-0.

Board members heard a reading of a proclamation from Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves recognizing school board member recognition week, Feb. 17–20, 2025. A district representative read language from the proclamation noting the role of local school board members in supporting public education.

On policy, the board received a first reading of draft board policy DBVAG, a cardiac emergency response plan. Staff said the district has had emergency response plans in place for several years and that the new policy is intended to formalize maintenance and review of those plans. The board discussed the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in buildings and training: nursing staff conduct training, each school maintains a set emergency-response team, and coaches are included because they are often present after school. No action was taken; the item was introduced as a first reading.

Trustees reviewed routine reports including vandalism, discipline, construction updates and school improvement/benchmark data. Discussion of benchmarks noted variations in administration timing and absences affecting scores; staff said some benchmark instruments are cumulative while others assess only current standards, and that the district drills down to specific skill subsets (for example, geometry) to target instruction.

Financial reports showed the district’s lowest cash point occurs in the winter months. Staff said the district’s cash balance dipped to about $10.5 million in December but remains positive, noting a $3.3 million check from the city arrived in January and a larger payment is expected in February. The board was told that some federal funds can display negative balances on monthly statements because expenditures are made first and reimbursement requests are submitted afterward.

On personnel process matters, the board scheduled a special called meeting with the Mississippi Association of School Boards (referred to in the meeting transcript as the City School Board Association) for 1 p.m. Thursday to review the superintendent search applicant pool; staff said about 20 applicants were expected to be reviewed. The board also approved, by vote, closing the determined executive session tied to four items and policy JDCCA.

The meeting included several informational items and routine approvals; the cardiac emergency policy remains at first reading and will return for further consideration at a later meeting, and the board will meet again in a special session to review superintendent candidates.