The Brookhaven School District superintendent and board of trustees on Tuesday recognized Stan Patrick for his 10 years of service to the district.

Patrick, whose last board meeting was Tuesday, chose not to run for re-election when his position came open earlier this year. Lucy Shell will take his place in January.

The board passed a resolution commemorating his service during some particularly rough transitions.

“His leadership shined brightest at times of need and adversity,” the resolution stated.

Patrick’s fellow board members also shared their own personal words of gratitude.

“Some people come into your life that you don’t expect to mentor you, and that’s the case for you and Doc Harrison [fellow board member Willie Harrison],” Vice Chairperson Erin Smith said to Patrick. “I appreciate your leadership, mentorship and example of being a faithful person.”

Chairperson James Tillman said first as deputy superintendent and now as a fellow board member he has seen Patrick direct the school in a better direction.

“He thinks about the children first; whatever it takes,” he said.

Harrison, a former assistant principal at Brookhaven High School, said he had no idea what he was getting into when he joined the board

“You’ve got a way with words. Truly, Stan, you have been one heck of a board member,” he said. “Continue being Stan Patrick; don’t change.”

Patrick said all of his efforts have been made possible by the teachers and mentors he had as a student in the Brookhaven School District.

“I had the fortunate opportunity to be a product of this community,” he said. “It wasn’t my efforts; I’m just glad to be a part of that. There are a lot of people I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for.”

Superintendent search

The board on Tuesday approved the application, qualifications, procedure, notice, deadline and pre-interview meeting in the search for a new superintendent. The notice is set to be posted to the district’s website, the Mississippi Department of Education website and in a mass email today.

Applicants are asked to have administrative experience, either as a principal, assistant superintendent or superintendent. They must have at least a AA certification in administration. Upon hiring, the superintendent must move within Lincoln County’s borders, preferably inside the BSD lines.

The applications will be mailed to a P.O. box board attorney Bob Allen has secured for this purpose. Allen will pick up the applications and deliver to Superintendent Ben Cox. Cox will have an opportunity to review the candidates before passing the applications to board members.

The deadline for applications is Jan. 13, and the board set a pre-interview meeting for Jan. 19 that will allow the members to discuss the candidate’s qualifications.

During November’s meeting, Cox announced his resignation effective June 2016. He plans to retire at that time. The board has requested that Cox serve the board in an advisory capacity during the search for his replacement.

In other board business:

• The board approved the hiring of Steve Cox, architect, to assist with the field house expansion project. The project will add a 35-by-42 foot space that will allow for upgraded weight room equipment. The superintendent, who has no relation to the architect, said the project would be funded by the 3 mil note they have on the books. The architect would charge a 6 percent fee. He will present a quote for the project and an architectural rendering prior to work being started. The project is estimated to last three to four months.

• The board approved the transfer of $127,103.86 from 16^th Section interest to district maintenance. Approximately $77,000 of that is going toward the e-rate project the board previously approved. The project requires the district pay 20 percent of the overall cost. The project will help increase wireless access points across the school campuses. The additional $50,000 will be used to add an additional 50 access points. E-rate has a cap that the district hit, but the district can pay in full for additional access points with free installation as part of the project. The project will include all the schools (Mamie Martin Elementary, Brookhaven Elementary, Lipsey, Alexander Junior High School, Brookhaven High School, Mullins and Brookhaven Technical Center). The district’s central office is not included.

• The board accepted a donation from the BHS Girls Softball Booster Club to BSD Athletics in the amount of $504 for expenses of banquet gifts.

• The board accepted a donation from the Gridiron Club to BSD Athletics in the amount of $4,000 for supplies and partial payment towards charter bus rental expense.

• The board accepted a donation from Silver Cross Home to Alexander Junior High in the amount of $2,400 for the DORE program.

• The board accepted a donation from several community businesses and individuals to Brookhaven Elementary School in the amount of $2,270 for expenses of a field trip.

• The board approved for the Ping Pong Club to sell T-shirts.

• The board approved for the carpentry class to sell a variety of handmade woodcrafts.

• The board approved for the indoor percussion and winterguard performance groups to travel out of state for performances in Port Allen, Louisiana on Jan. 23; Denham Springs, Louisiana on March 5; Geismar, Louisiana on March 19; and Thibodaux, Louisiana April 1-2.