Students and parents of Columbus High School will soon be seeing a familiar face around the halls as Dexter Peterson takes over as principal.
For the last three years, Peterson served as an assistant principal at Columbus Middle School, and he told The Dispatch he is excited to begin his new role as CHS principal.
“This is like a dream come true for me,” Peterson said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a really long time, so it’s official now. I’m very, very excited. … I’m ready to serve, and I’m here if anyone needs me.”
The Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees approved Peterson as the new CHS principal during its Monday night meeting at Brandon Central Services. The position has been open since June, and with former superintendent Cherie Labat’s departure last month, the board waited for interim superintendent Dennis Dupree to start work and recommend a hire.
Peterson, a Starvkille native, has a combined 12 years of experience in education as both a teacher and administrator. He taught middle school and high school in Vicksburg and Starkville.
CMSD board president Yvonne Cox said the high school will benefit from having a leader who knows the district and how to communicate with staff, parents and students effectively.
“The candidate recommended and approved by the board is very well-qualified and prepared for the challenge ahead of him,” Cox said. “He is an open-minded and professional young man that will be able to connect with our students, our parents and the community. I’m looking forward to our high school maintaining and growing even better through his leadership.”
Cox said Peterson will begin his duties as soon as the paperwork has been completed.
Waiver request
During Monday night’s open forum, citizen Troy Anderson approached the board to request a waiver of minimum distance requirement by a school for cannabis dispensary, but his effort was unsuccessful.
The law in Mississippi states a person may request a minimum distance waiver if the main point of entry of the business is less than 1,000 feet but not closer than 500 feet from the nearest property line of a school, church or child care facility.
Anderson owns a building that is about 650 feet from Stokes-Beard Elementary School, and he said he would like to house a cannabis dispensary there. He told the board he plans to have a security guard present at all times and have an ID check before anyone enters the building.
Anderson must first get the minimum distance waiver from the school board before getting approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Columbus council. Once he has all of the proper documentation from local entities, he can apply for a license through the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Board member Fredrick Sparks asked if Anderson looked at other buildings. Anderson said he has looked at buildings for rent, but he would rather operate from one he already owns.
Anderson said he wants to create a new small business in Columbus and offer jobs to those in need. He said he plans to work with law enforcement to hire off duty officers as security guards and to offer those leaving jail a chance at a job.
“I want to open up a small business to contribute to the economy and to help the city grow more,” Anderson said. “We can also offer jobs to people. We’d like to work close with the sheriff’s department with the people that are being released from incarceration and let them recommend those people that are coming back. We’d like to offer them part-time opportunities so they can get back into the workforce.”
By law, those convicted of violent crimes or felonies involving controlled substances cannot work at a dispensary.
Cox requested a motion to grant Anderson the waiver, but other board members remained silent. The waiver request was not approved Monday evening.
“The waiver request has not been approved at this time,” Cox said. “I really do appreciate your time and your effort.”
After he spoke with the board, Anderson told The Dispatch if he cannot get the waiver for a cannabis dispensary, he will most likely turn the building into a restaurant.
“We’re thinking of maybe opening a restaurant if we can’t get the waiver,” Anderson said. “Their silence tonight says a whole lot. … When Labat was here she said it was a concern for the kids’ safety, but our building is east of a gun shop. When the kids are playing out in the yard at Stokes-Beard, there’s a quick stop store with people going in and out buying beer, sometimes standing around outside drinking beer. That’s more influence on the kids seeing that. They can’t see our building 650 feet away from the school.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion