A new school board trustee was sworn in this week with a few city and county leaders showing their support in attendance.
Vanessa Crowder was sworn in by Judge Bennie K. Warrington Thursday morning.
Officials in attendance said Crowder will assume her post and those duties on the Yazoo City Municipal School Board immediately, including the next monthly meeting next Thursday evening. It has also been reported to The Herald that Crowder will now assist in the search for the next district superintendent.
Crowder will replace school trustee Deborah Crook.
School trustee Dave Collins, former school trustee Herman Leach, Aldermen Aubry Brent Jr., Supervisor Willie Wright and former mayor Wardell Leach were in attendance during Crowder’s ceremony.
Crowder was appointed to the school board on a 4 to 1 vote by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen last month. Mayor Diane Delaware shared the appointment with school board president John Wallace in a Feb. 25 letter.
“We believe Ms. Crowder will be of great service to the Yazoo City Municipal School District,” the letter reads. “She comes to the school board as a retired teacher from the district with an exceptional knowledge of teaching and learning.”
Delaware asked that the remaining school trustees welcome Crowder and thank her “for her willingness to take on this challenging role.”
“We also wish to thank Mrs. Crook for her service as a member of the school board,” the letter continues. “We realize the difficulty of this position and the committed community service required.”
The city council said Crowder’s tenure begins today, March 5.
According to state law, “board members are appointed by the governing authority of the municipality. Terms are for five years with one term ending each year on the first Saturday in March.”
