WOODVILLE &045;&045; After seven years as principal at Wilkinson County High School, the Rev. Larry Oliver this week resigned his position.

Wilkinson County School Board members voted 4-0 to accept Oliver’s resignation at a special meeting Tuesday morning. Board member Emerson Delaney was absent from the meeting.

Oliver told board members he would not be looking for another job immediately, but wants to devote some time to his ministry.

&uot;I feel like God brought me here, and now he’s moving me out. And I feel I have to adhere to that,&uot; Oliver said.

The news left the school district scrambling to find a replacement with the fall semester set to begin in little more than a month.

&uot;I tried to make this decision earlier in the year, but because teachers and students talked to me, I changed the decision to stay. But when God says ‘go’ you’ve got to move,&uot; Oliver said.

School Superintendent Mildred McGhee said the district would try to locate another principal, although many administrators have already been contracted by mid-summer.

&uot;We’re going to try to find a person. I’ve already gotten a couple of applications by word-of-mouth,&uot; McGhee said Wednesday afternoon.

McGhee said qualified administrators who are interested in the position should contact her office at (601) 888-3582, extension 221.

Oliver’s resignation overshadowed the primary reason for the board’s special meeting/public discussion of the district’s proposed 2005 fiscal year budget.

Financial advisor Audrey Veal outlined a $12.2 million expense budget, including salaries and fringe benefits for district employees totalling $9.2 million.

Veal said the district will end the current fiscal year with a $4 million surplus, and expects to receive another $5.2 million in Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds during the coming year.

Other expected revenues include $1million in Title I funds and $1.5 million in local ad valorem taxes.

The overall tax millage the district receives will stay the same at 32.03 mills, Veal said.

But with a debt service bond now retired, an extra 2 mills will go to operating expenses under the proposed budget.

Board President Charlie Floyd commended district employees and administrators for working to stay within their budgets.

&uot;Everyone will be glad to know we’re not raising taxes,&uot; Floyd said.

Veal said the district achieved its 2004 budgetary goals in part by maintaining a low staff to student ratio.

Board members took the 2005 budget proposal under advisement until their next regular meeting on July 14.