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Principals press for dean of students positions as district weighs funding and enrollment trends
Summary
Preston County principals told trustees deans of students could bolster attendance, discipline, MTSS and credit recovery; board members expressed concern about long‑term funding and noted enrollment declines that complicate adding permanent positions.
School leaders urged the Preston County Board of Education to consider creating dean of students positions at Preston High, West Preston and Brewon, saying such roles would shore up attendance, discipline, MTSS/PBIS coordination and credit‑recovery programs.
Brewon and West Preston principals described staffing losses (assistant principal, MTSS staff, secretary) that have forced leaders to absorb additional duties. “If I don’t get the MTSS person back, I don’t even have anyone to do credit recovery at this point,” Brewon Principal Mr. Seymour said, adding that a dean would help oversee attendance and discipline and free instructional leaders for classroom work.
Trustees and the superintendent noted the district faces enrollment declines—Preston (−38), Brewon (−15), West Preston (−41)—and that most financing for an additional position would likely come from county funds rather than formula allocations. Superintendent Martin said West Preston might be able to use Title funding for a year, but long‑term funding would be uncertain if enrollment trends persist.
Mr. Knox (Brewon) said counseling and staffing reductions left him with one counselor for roughly 600 students and that a dean or a reconfigured position (teacher‑counselor hybrid) could help maintain academic supports. Board members asked for further structural proposals and funding scenarios before any formal recommendation.
No motion was taken; the discussion concluded with a direction for administrators to refine proposals and explore short‑term Title allocations or county funding options.
