Tiffany Reed, Grenada School District’s career coach for Grenada High School, sought the assistance of the Grenada County Board of Supervisors last week.
Last Monday, Feb. 6, Reed addressed the Board, which was all in attendance, during its regular scheduled meeting.
“I am here this morning representing North Central Planning and Development District and also Accelerate Mississippi Career Coaches,” she said. “I serve as the career coach at GHS and, as we all know, GSD is unique and is already embedded here with most of the manufacturers that are located here. My job as career coach is to help with the gateway program that works to create job opportunities for students. The reason I am here is to ask for your support and to hopefully have the County come in as a worksite host. I do understand that this is not the first time you all have had the student interns come and participate in the gateway program. Due to COVID-19 the last couple of years, that has not been possible.”
Supervisor President Michael Lott agreed.
“Yes, we have done this before,” he said.
“We just never could get anyone to take advantage of the program,” Grenada County Chancery Clerk Johnny Hayward added.
“Is this something just for the Court House,” District 2 Supervisor Chad Bridges asked.
Reed responded.
“No sir,” she said. “We have agreements with the City of Grenada, a couple of law firms, real estate agencies and dental and health clinics. I can say that I do understand where Mr. Hayward is coming from, because we didn’t have the buy in that we needed from the students back then, but I can tell you that has changed. We are overwhelmed to say we have a large number of students that have signed up and are enrolled in their internships.”
Reed spent her time Monday morning reintroducing the program to the Board and explained how the career coaches are being implemented into the program.
“I hope to walk away with an agreement with you all and that you will have Grenada High School do some of their internships here at the County Courthouse,” Reed said.
Lott then spoke of the dangers of working outside the offices.
“I am sure some of these offices could use some help such as filing and other things that could be needed and done by the students,” Lott said. “Working with us out on roads and other projects, sometimes could be very dangerous with the equipment that we use, so we would have to take a strong look at that option.”
“Not every student is going to attend a traditional four year college and my job is to make sure that they do see that the secondary option is appealing to them and I could use your help with that,” Reed said.
District 4 Supervisor Darrell Robinson then expressed his opinion to the Board.
“I got to see how this program works down in Tupelo,” Robinson said. “This is a really good program. I think it really works.”
“They will learn hands on skills in the offices, but we also learn how to put resumes together and steps that are to be taken in order to get the job,” Reed responded. “If you choose to set up an interview with the students, that’s something else we help
prepare them for.”
“We are going to see what we can do to help you fill some of these spots Mrs. Reed,” Lott concluded. “We thank you for your time this morning and we will be in touch.”
In other business, the Board:
• Authorized the payment of claims, accepted the monthly receipt report, land redemption settlement report and justice court settlement report.
• Approved jail meal logs.
• OK’d personnel changes made.
• Accepted the budget amendment for the fire services to civil defense.
• Tabled Willis Engineering utility permits for Barnside Dr., Gore Springs, McCain Estates and the town of Holcomb. The permits were not ready yet.
• Authorized the approval to issue a replacement check in the amount of $258.20. The check was never cashed in April of 2022.
• Acknowledged the USDA Rural Business Development Grant Resolution consideration. For this acknowledgment, Darrell Robinson left the room.
• Accepted the MDEQ Solid Waste time extension approval and acknowledged the MDEQ Waste Tire WT-729- $20,000 grant acceptance.
• OK’d the court appointment of Chancery Court Reporter Amanda Fitzgerald Kisor.
• Acknowledged the school bus turn around list request.
• Approved the Pauper Burial of Willie Rushing. Darrell Robinson was asked to leave the room.
• Accepted the MDEQ landfill solid waste annual report and the 4th quarter financial reports for the volunteer fire departments.
• Approved travel for Supervisors to MAPDD Conference April 18-21 in Biloxi.
• OK’d the interfund transfer from the Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Industrial Park Road North Fund in the amount of $3,107,162.14.
• OK’d the correction of the BOS Book 2022 page 420 (Water and Sewer Matching Fund requirement) due to the wrong amount being listed.
The Board of Supervisors with hold a special called meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 17 at the Grenada County Courthouse.
