It takes a community to raise a child.

Lincoln County School District Superintendent Terry Brister stressed that communities are what make the four LCSD schools great as he recognized parents and teachers of the year and the district’s four retirees at the school board meeting Monday.

“Churches, schools – that’s how it is,” Brister said. “A strong community is going to have a better school.”

Brister said LCSD is the largest school district in Southwest Mississippi, and the only district that remains community oriented.

“Without y’all,” Brister told the parents, “the schools would not be what they are now.”

To the teachers, Brister said it takes a special heart to teach today.

“You are a diamond in the rough if you stay in education today,” he said. “I know it’s stressful because it changes everyday.”

Brister and Deputy Superintendent Letha Presley were both sad to see the retirees’ last year come to an end.

“I’ve taught with y’all forever, so that makes me feel sad in my heart,” Presley said.

“It’s been a joy to work with you,” Brister said.

Brister, Presley and the school board recognized David Gunther as Bogue Chitto’s parent of the year, Nikki Diamond as Enterprise’s parent of the year, Rhonda Lynch as West Lincoln’s parent of the year and Jennifer Dickerson as both the district’s and Loyd Star’s parent of the year.

Teachers of the year were Lindsay Carter for Bogue Chitto, Jennifer Goldman for Enterprise, Billy Wayne Sumrall for Loyd Star and Laura Lofton for the district and West Lincoln.

Retirees included Julia Brown of Bogue Chitto after 32 years, Greg Adams of Bogue Chitto after 24 years, Angela Britt of Loyd Star after 29 years and Anita Alsworth of Loyd Star after 29.5 years.

“Lincoln County schools are better today, and it’s because of people just like you,” Brister said.

In other board business:

• Brister assured the board that everything at all the schools had continued smoothly during his absence. He said that they are lucky to have good people in the right places.

• The board approved summer school for the special education program. Presley said the program was entirely state funded.

• Stan Long, 16th section land manager, told the board about a leasing issue. About a month ago, the board granted Bobby Hatcher of Sportsman’s Paradise a year lease for some district land. Hatcher died later that same week, and the question of lease ownership came up. Long received an opinion from the Secretary of State’s attorney stating that the lease belongs to Sportsman’s Paradise and not the Hatcher family.

• The next scheduled board meeting is May 18 at 5 p.m.