School Receives Apology, New Finance Officer
Todd Ivey
Todd Ivey, Director, Office of Policy and School Financial Services for the Mississippi Department of Education, delivered an apology to School Board members Monday night. “It came to my attention last Thursday that some comments were made by Ms. Suzanne Carter, the financial advisor to Water Valley, at the January Board meeting that were unwarranted, unprofessional, and unneeded,” he said.
Board President Lamar Burgess said that he appreciated Ivey coming to the meeting and added, “I think it will really have an impact as far as the morale of the faculty and staff and the community.”
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – The School District got an apology and a new financial advisor from the State Department of Education as a result of the resignation of School Finance Officer Suzanne Carter.
Todd Ivey, Director, Office of Policy and School Financial Services for the Mississippi Department of Education, delivered the apology to School Board members Monday night.
At the same time, he told the board that School Finance Officer Lisa Thompson would be coming to Water Valley within the next two weeks.
Carter’s resignation came after her comments at the January School Board meeting on cafeteria food waste and discipline were reported in the Herald.
Ivey told Board Members Monday that he was at the meeting on behalf of State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tom Burnham, the Department of Education, and the Office of School Financial Services to issue an apology to the Water Valley School Board, the Water Valley School District, the teachers and employees of Water Valley.
“It came to my attention last Thursday that some comments were made by Ms. Suzanne Carter, the financial advisor to Water Valley, at the January Board meeting that were unwarranted, unprofessional, and unneeded,” he said.
“Someone mailed them to Dr. Burnham and fortunately I got to see them before he did. When I read the newspaper article, I was, needless to say, shocked and pretty upset.”
“I wanted the Board to know, I wanted Mr. Higdon to know, I want your teachers to know that’s not what we think is going on in Water Valley,” Ivey added. “Mrs. Carter, the financial advisor, is no longer an employee of the Department of Education.”
“I told Dr. Burnham that I needed to go to the School District and say that because it was just way, way outside what her function is. She had absolutely no business making those comments.”
Superintendent Sammy Higdon said that he appreciated Ivey coming to the meeting, as did Board President Lamar Burgess who added, “I think it will really have an impact as far as the morale of the faculty and staff and the community.”
After delivering the apology, Ivey commented on the financial problems facing school districts all across the state. He said that he has asked all districts to provide cash flow reports so that his office could determine which districts may run out of money. “It has gotten that bad. It really has.”
Ivey added that the financial situation is the worse he has seen in his 23 years. “It’s not going to get better in the next couple of years.”
“School systems are going to need to do more to insure they are offering the best education they possibly can to the children in their communities. It means some difficult choices for Superintendents and Board members.”
Ivey added that board members could contact his office at any time. “We are here to help you. That is what our function is. It is certainly not to talk about discipline in cafeterias.”
“I know that all of your teachers and employees are doing an excellent job. I am just sorry that those comments had to come from one of my employees.”
In a written statement, Higdon said, “The State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tom Burnham, has high standards and high expectations. I support these standards and expectations as well as the decision to send a new financial advisor to our district.”
