JACKSON — The Mississippi State Board of Education has approved a state takeover of the Aberdeen school district.
The board’s Friday morning action means that only Gov. Phil Bryant’s approval is needed before state officials will take the reins. A takeover could come as soon as Monday.
The state Board of Education approved hiring Bob Strebeck to act as conservator in the district, which educates more than 1,400 students in parts of Monroe County. Strebeck will be paid $170,000 a year, plus $29,000 in travel expenses.
Strebeck, a retired Newton County administrator, has been conservator in four other districts, most recently Sunflower County.
The state moved to take over the Aberdeen district after an investigation found rampant interference by local school board members in the affairs of the low-performing district.
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