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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 87
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • One section
School board upholds Burcham’s firing BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The Alcorn School District Board has upheld the firing of Alcorn Central Middle School Principal Dan Burcham. Burcham was placed on administrative leave with pay on Feb. 11 prior to being originally fired on March 20 by superintendent Gina Rogers Smith. It was determined the principal must have his case heard before a hearing officer in ex-
ecutive session before he could be terminated. Burcham remained on administrative leave until his case was heard before hearing Burcham officer John C. Ross in a lengthy meeting on March 28.
Ross made a written report to the board determining whether the termination was proper or improper. On Tuesday, board chairman Russ Nash made a formal announcement as the board accepted Ross' findings in the case following an executive session meeting of the fiveperson board. “After reviewing the report of the hearing officer and the record of the proceedings, the board finds and determines, as
did the hearing officer, that the termination of Dan Burcham as principal of Alcorn Central Middle School by the superintendent was based upon valid educational reasons and noncompliance with school district policies because of his improper conduct toward female employees of the district and his misuse of school funds, and on motion duly made, seconded and passed unanimously, his termination is affirmed as of
March 28, 2013,” stated Nash. Burcham's legal representative, Thomas O. Cooley of Langston & Lott, P.A. in Booneville, said his client elected to not comment at this time. Cooley had previously stated at the March 5 meeting “we will take this case all the way to chancery court in Alcorn County if pushed.” On March 5, the district Please see BURCHAM | 3
‘Whose Life Is It Anyway?’ Forum shapes future of Alcorn County BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Residents working toward a better future for Alcorn County will gather tonight. The Commission on the Future of Alcorn County is hosting a public forum at Corinth High School with the program beginning at 6 p.m. A light supper will be served between 5 and 6 p.m. The program will include updates on the progress of the commission’s work. With much of the commission’s current efforts focused on education, Northeast Mississippi Community College President Johnny Allen will be the keynote speaker, and Mississippi State Board of Education President Wayne Gann will also deliver
CT-A play examines life, death decision sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Health care is a hot topic around the country. The Corinth Theatre-Arts will shed light on some of those issues with its production of “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” this weekend at the Crossroads Playhouse. “The production is a drama that examines health care and end-of-life decisions after a sculptor is paralyzed in a wreck,” said director Cris Skinner. “At the beginning of the play, he is
recovered as he will ever be and is learning the process of living life as a quadriplegic.” The action is centered around Ken Harrison -- played by Leland Hendrix -- an art professor/sculptor who has been paralyzed from the neck down and is determined to be allowed to die. “We see the frustrations Ken faces as a quadriplegic with no chance of using his limbs again,” said Skinner. “He asks the question does he continue to live and is it worth it? ... it bounces back
Please see FUTURE | 2
Literacy Council seeks volunteer tutors
The CT-A production's action remains centered around Ken Harrison — played by Leland Hendrix — an art professor/sculptor who has been paralyzed from the neck down and is determined to be allowed to die.
BY STEVE BEAVERS
remarks. In addition to education, other task forces will report updates in the areas of infrastructure, city and county long-range planning, and strengthening families. Organized as a special project of Corinth-Alcorn Reaching for Excellence (CARE), the commission began its work in 2010. “Since then, real progress has been made,” said Sandy Williams, CARE chairman. “Most, if not all, of the goals/targets are issues that will not be solved overnight, but progress is being made, and therefore it is time for an update.” The forum is intended to provide a measure of the success
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council tutors help people gain a life-changing skill. The organization is currently seeking people who want to accept the challenge of helping others learn to read. A tutor training workshop is set for May 5, 7 and 9 with a registration deadline of May 1. Tutor Trainer Cheryl Meints said tutors help people who may not be able to read a street sign or interpret their child’s report card get on the path to a better life. “These are adults who have
and forth.” The play, rated “restricted” for mild language and adult content, is not recommended for children. Performances are set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday night. A 2 p.m. matinee is scheduled for Sunday. Tickets are $6 for students and $12 for adults. Tickets are available at the Playhouse from 1-6 p.m. or by calling 662-287-2995. “The play is a conservation Please see DECISION | 3
coped with this inability to read for maybe 40 or 50 years,” she said. Tutoring is open to any dependable, responsible adult willing to take on the challenge. “We ask them to commit to a year once they receive a student,” said Meints. Tutoring takes place at the Corinth Library, where the literacy council uses space upstairs. Many tutors find it to be a rewarding experience. “I leave every session feelPlease see TUTORS | 3
United Way celebrates success in 2012 BY BOBBY J. SMITH bjsmith@dailycorinthian.com
The United Way honored those who strive to make Corinth and Alcorn County a better place at the annual Appreciation Banquet on Wednesday. “Tonight we are pleased to recognize some of the many people and businesses that help make United Way successful in Corinth and Alcorn County,” said 2012 United Way President Reece Terry. “Without the unselfish commitment of our contributors, large and small,
it would be impossible to help fund the agencies that provide help for those in need.” In 2012 the United Way received $368,669 – an increase of almost 9 percent over the previous year. 2013 pledges are now at $412,292. The 2013 pledges include Caterpillar employee and corporate pledges up over 58 percent thanks to an exceptional campaign last fall and Kimberly Clark’s increase in donations over 2012 that includes over $47,000 in extra fund raising events.
“In a down economy that speaks well for the people of Corinth and Alcorn County,” said Terry. “Again, for every contribution large and small, we want to say thank you.” During the banquet United Way recognized members of United Way supported agencies and volunteers and those who have served on an allocations committee or helped with a drive at their places of employment. Also recognized were past
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On this day in history 150 years ago
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Staff photo by Bobby J. Smith
2012 President Reece Terry (right) and 2013 President Ellis Rhett handed out the awards at the United Way Appreciation Banquet.
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