The Brookhaven School District board faced its reorganization for the 2015-2016, with James Tillman taking over as board chairman following a vote by the board Tuesday afternoon.

Stan Patrick, former chairman, has just a few more months left on his term set to expired December 2015. Other changes included Erin Smith becoming vice chairman and Pat Lowery becoming secretary.

Alexander Junior High School Principal Rod Henderson made a presentation about his school’s literacy initiative as it begins to include a writing component.

Right now the initiative consists a program called “Drop everything and read.” It requires students to dedicate part of the day two or three times a week to reading. Henderson said they rotate a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule with a Tuesday, Thursday schedule. On the designated days instead of their regular breaks, students must spend the 20 minutes between second and third periods reading. The students are allowed to read whatever they want.

“Students did not complain, and parents did not complain,” he said.

Henderson said the other part was depending on the entire teaching staff rather than just English teachers to understand the importance of literacy.

“Literacy is more than reading,” he said. “Too many junior high students are limited by low levels of literacy,” he said.

In the past year the program has seen an increase from 52 percent of students reading at a proficient level to 57 percent. He said 129 of 217 seventh grade students showed some kind of improvement, and 140 of 207 eighth grade students showed improvement.

Henderson said now they are turning to a writing initiative to mimic the reading. He said each class will work to increase writing time and to improve on writing skills.

“Whatever we have we want them to be comfortable with their writing skills,” Henderson said.

In other board business:

• The board approved an extension of the school year by one day to make up for the day missed due to the cold weather.

• Superintendent Ben Cox presented a draft of the school calendar for 2015-2016. He said the only major change was moving spring break back one week to coincide with Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s schedule. Cox said it will benefit some of the programs that the vocational center partners with Co-Lin on.

• The board reviewed the audit from Fortenberry and Ballard, PC, Certified Public Accountants for the year ending June 30, 2014. The report showed no modification. The business department, lead by Susan Cochran, received a certificate from the state auditor for having an unqualified audit.

• The board approved to a contract with Cunningham CPAs, PLLC in the amount of $17,000 for the audit for year ending June 30, 2015. Cochran said they were the lowest quote, and the firm is the one recommended by Fortenberry and Ballard. Because Fortenberry and Ballard have performed the audit of BSD the last three years, the school district is required to change auditors.

• The board approved to retain Robert Allen as board attorney for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

• The board approved for the Diamond Club to sell roast sandwich plates.

• The board approved for the golf team to sell sponsor signs.

• The board approved a donation from the Tennis Booster Club in the amount of $520 for tennis uniforms.

• Cox recognized Valerie Moore for her work and leadership with the Hardwood Booster Club.