The Brookhaven School Board approved the resignation oflong-time Brookhaven High School band director Zachary Harris andannounced the hiring of Clay Whittington at Tuesday night’s monthlyboard meeting.

“We’re pleased to be able to announce hiring a new banddirector,” said Superintendent Lea Barrett. “There are currently 71openings for band directors in the state.”

Harris has been the band director at Brookhaven High School for10 years and recently announced his resignation, which will beeffective June 30. He has taken a job at Gulfport High School.

“Well, of course we’re sorry to lose Mr. Harris,” Barrett said.”He did an outstanding job and I think Gulfport has wanted him fora while and finally made an offer he can’t refuse. But he’ll alwayspart of the Brookhaven High School family.”

Whittington, a Brookhaven native, currently serves as theassistant band director at Florence High School after stints atMississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Southwest MississippiCommunity College.

“We’re excited to have Clay joining us,” said Barrett. “He’sbeen involved with many quality programs. We’re looking forward toour band continuing to grow and earn superior ratings and representus well.”

Whittington’s wife Traci is currently employed by BrookhavenSchools as a gifted teacher.

“This is a good fit for us and for him,” said Barrett.

In other school board business, the board approved adding twonew buses to the fleet at a cost of approximately $66,000 to theschool district.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools James Tillman said two olderbuses would be sold.

“We try to replace two or three old ones every year,” hesaid.

The board also approved advertising for a June 19 budgetmeeting, as school officials are required to publish twice beforethe hearing.

Donations were also approved from Brookhaven Junior Auxiliaryand Bumpers, as well as from the Mamie Martin PTA, who among otherthings donated $17,000 for new computers for all the first gradeclassrooms.