A fresh new voice!

Scott, Napper Retire -- August 24, 2010 -- DeSoto County School District employees Corrine Scott (right) and Deborah Napper were honored Aug. 23 with a retirement reception at the Board of Education. Scott is retiring as board secretary, and has served in this capacity under the direction of three superintendents - Erlend Nichols, Jerry Baird and Milton Kuykendall. Prior to her position with the School Board, she worked as a teacher assistant, bookkeeper and school secretary. "One of the highlights of my career was opening a new school-Shadow Oaks Elementary in 1990.  This was another period of tough economic times, but our staff at Shadow Oaks really bonded as we worked to get this school up and going." Scott said. "One of the surprising moments was looking out my window at the old Board of Education location on Commerce Street, and seeing smoke rise from the site of the old Hernando High School location (now the Board of Education.)  This was in 1994."

Napper, technology support staff, worked in the cafeteria, library and counselor's office before she became the principal's secretary at Horn Lake High School.  The principal was Milton Kuykendall, and when he was elected superintendent in 2003, she came to the Board of Education as his secretary.   She has worked for the district for 28 years. "Mrs. Napper operated Horn Lake High Schools' first computer, and for a time, was the only person who could operate it.  She helped all of us develop our technology skills, said Kuykendall.

"Today, we celebrate two ladies who have been a big part of this school system," Kuykendall told a group of educators, friends and family members.

"They have both been valuable employees to our school district, always organized, always trying to do the right thing.  They will be missed." (Photo by Jamie Mercer)