Sumer resigns from CISD board
CISD cleared land on Buffalo Street.
The Canton ISD Board of Trustees met in a special session meeting, Monday, Dec. 4, accepting the resignation of trustee Regan Sumner.
Sumer has been on the Canton ISD Board of Trustees since 2008.
Board President Kenneth Pruitt gave a statement on behalf of the board, “Mr. Sumner has served the district well over the last nine years. He has always kept the students first in all of his decisions. We appreciate his service and Canton ISD is a better school district because of his commitment.”
The Board appointed retired CISD Superintendent Larry Davis to fill Sumner’s seat until the board election in May. Sumner’s term was due to expire in 2020. However, because of his resignation, the Place 7 seat will be on the May ballot.
“Mr. Davis brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the school district to the Board. We feel he will be able to help continue the positive environment we have in the school district,” stated Pruitt.
The board then approved Exceed Engineering as the project manager for a classroom addition to Canton High School. Due to increased student enrollment and the lack of classroom space, the board determined it would add 11 classrooms to Canton High School. In the preliminary plans, there is also additional parking within the district. The parking area will be beneficial and help alleviate some of the traffic on Highway 243, stated board members.
The Canton High School project will not affect the tax rate, as the funding for the project will be utilized from current maintenance and operation budgets and district fund balance as necessary.
The Board also approved Public Financial Management as the district’s financial advisor.
In other news, Superintendent Jay Tullos updated the trustees on the progress of the property CISD acquired on Buffalo Street.
The district purchased the property in order to have space in the future to expand the Canton Junior High, Elementary, or parking areas if and when the need arises.
“There are no immediate plans for construction on the property at this time,” stated Tullos. “The District is clearing the property in order to give students an area to use during the school day, and citizens an area to utilize after school hours.”
