Brookhaven School District teachers and officials are geared upfor a new school year, which begins Wednesday with the first fullday of classes.

“Everyone — administrators and teachers — seems reallyexcited,” said Superintendent Dr. Sam Bounds. “We really areexpecting great things this year.”

Few changes await students as they head into the 2003-2004 year,Bounds said. They can expect to be challenged by teachers as theystrive to meet the federal accountability requirements of No ChildLeft Behind.

“We are looking forward to getting results (from state tests)and analyzing these results,” said Bounds. “In any area where thereare shortcomings, we will be very active in working to correctthose.”

District officials are also working diligently to prepare forthe combining of two student bodies this year in a joint effortwith the Mississippi School of the Arts.

BHS will provide some academic classes for the 67 students inMSA’s first class.

“We think we’re going to offer them a wonderful educationalenvironment, and we think they will blend in beautifully,” saidBounds.

To accommodate the increase in the student body, BHS has addedanother assistant principal. Dr. Marilyn Dow-Harris, one of thedistrict’s national board certified elementary teachers, hasaccepted the position.

The only other administrative change in the district will belong-time employee Ida Jenkins replacing Rosemary Britt as Directorof Special Education.

Bounds believes the changes will coincide with anothersuccessful year in the Brookhaven School District.

The district’s enrollment appears to be steady, withapproximately 3,200 students expected to attend classes thisyear.

Bounds anticipates a good start to the year on Wednesday.

“We’re looking for a very smooth first day. Everybody’s beenworking very hard,” he said.

Lincoln County Schools will begin classes with a full day onFriday, while Brookhaven Academy students will have a half-day onFriday. Wesson Attendance Center starts with a full day onThursday.