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Clinton School District Opens New Academic Year at Mississippi College


Clinton Public Schools faculty and staff opened their 2015-16 academic year with a convocation at Mississippi College on August 7. After speaking to the group at Swor Auditorium, Superintendent Phil Burchfield joins administrators and coaches for a photo on the Quad.

Many Mississippi College graduates returned to their alma mater as Clinton public school educators opened the new school year.

“We have a great relationship with Mississippi College,” Clinton Superintendent Phil Burchfield said following Friday’s convocation. “Their student teachers are second to none.”

At Swor Auditorium, Burchfield led a parade of speakers on August 7 welcoming faculty and staff with the 4,756-student district.

Clinton schools remain top-notch in the Magnolia State when it comes to academics, athletics and extracurricular activities – from the band to the nationally acclaimed Attaché Show choir.

Starting his 41st year as an educator, Burchfield is delighted to see all the positive rankings, but believes things can get even better. “While we are No. 1, there’s still so much more we can do.”

“Excellence is the Only Option” was Friday’s message to employees crowding the auditorium on the Clinton campus as videos showcased the district’s achievements by students and faculty.

Cindy Melton, leader of MC’s teacher education department, is thrilled to see so many familiar faces on the Clinton campus.

About 50 percent of the Clinton district’s employees are Mississippi College graduates, Melton says. “We love this good symbiotic relationship with them.”

Melton noted that four of her former 5th grade students serve as teachers in Clinton public schools.

Mississippi College-Clinton public school connections run deep.

“They are good neighbors to us,” Melton said.

MC’s School of Education offers master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees that attract a good number of Clinton educators every year.

Besides stellar academic programs, athletics is huge in the Clinton district, whether it’s soccer, basketball, track, cross country or baseball.

Led by quarterback Cam Akers, a future "Clarion Ledger" Dandy Dozen pick, the Clinton High Arrows open the 2015 football season at home against South Panola August 20. That’s followed by an August 28 Arrows contest on the road against the Ridgeland Titans. Akers is an Alabama commit, but received offers from other schools around the Southeastern Conference.