John Massey, who was in his third year as principal of Coahoma High School, resigned in December to accept the superintendent position at Eden Independent School District.

Since that time, Coahoma Superintendent Jerry Johnson said he has received almost 20 applications for the position, with the majority coming from outside Howard County.

Johnson said he will recommend a replacement at Thursday’s meeting, although he declined to go into specifics.

Another personnel matter that will come to the board’s attention Thursday is the district’s annual superintendent evaluation.

Johnson is currently in his third year with Coahoma ISD. After each prior evaluation, he has received both high marks from the board and an extension to his contract, which currently runs through June 2010.

Other items that trustees will consider include:

• Construction update. Johnson said several projects authorized in the 2006 bond election are proceeding according to schedule.

The shell of the new athletic field house has been erected and work on the building’s interior has commenced.

Elsewhere, workers have begun pouring the foundation for the new high school wing and renovations to the high school band hall and auditorium are on schedule, Johnson said.

“We’ve had no major (disruption) problems at all,” Johnson said. “I’m very pleased with the construction company and the way things have gone.”

• Trustee elections. The school board is to discuss preliminary actions that need to be performed prior to the May 10 elections.

Seats currently held by Dale Coates and Mike Blissard, as well as the position vacated by John Wayne Metcalf, are up for election this year.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it