WOODVILLE &045;&045; A 10-year school administrator with a background in alternative education was named principal at Wilkinson County High School by school board members Wednesday night.

Donnie Hollins, 42, will replace Rev. Larry Oliver, who resigned last month.

A Greenville native and married father of three, Hollins said he most recently served for three years as assistant principal at Simmons High School in Hollandale.

Hollins also taught at Greenville High School and Calloway High School in Jackson before working for three years as an administrative assistant and teacher at Hinds County Alternative School in Raymond.

School Superintendent Mildred McGhee said the board voted 4-0 in executive session to hire Hollins from among eight applicants for the job.

District 2 board member Emerson Delaney was absent from Wednesday’s meeting.

Hollins’ wife, Jacqueline, worked as a drug and alcohol program coordinator for Hinds County Youth Court.

Hollins said he intended to first spend some time getting to know the parents, students and staff at WCHS.

&uot;I want to first get a feel of the school climate, the school culture. I think if you grasp that, you’re on a good track,&uot; Hollins said.

In other action, the board:

4Approved an eight percent pay raise for certified administrators and a six percent raise for non-certified employees.

McGhee said the raises do not include teachers, who are already in line for a state-mandated eight percent pay raise this year.

4Agreed to apply for up to $2 million in interest-free loans for renovations and repairs to school properties through the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program.

The loans require a 10 percent match from community donors.

4Authorized payment of

$117,056 to Bi-County Insurance Agency in Centreville to renew the district’s property and liability insurance coverage.