McLin to retire, school board seeks successor

By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Nov. 26, 2002
Meridian Public School District Superintendent Janet McLin announced Monday she will retire effective June 30, 2003.
McLin began her tenure in January 1998 under a four-year contract, which was extended twice.
McLin said serving as superintendent has been a wonderful experience and a great opportunity.
Ed Lynch, school board vice president, said McLin has done some positive things for the district, but that there have been shortcomings.
In Meridian, the superintendent is hired by the school board, not elected, and the school board is appointed by the mayor. Lynch said board members will sit down after the holidays to discuss strategy for replacing McLin.
Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith said McLin brought a high degree of integrity to the superintendent's position and there was never a doubt the children were her motivation.
He said he would urge the school board to conduct a thorough search, but he said, "I would love to see them have someone in place by the new school year."
Fred Brashier, Poplar Springs Elementary School principal, said McLin's retirement will bring a degree of uncertainty to the district and that recruiting and hiring a new superintendent could be tough.
The McLin file
Name: Janet P. McLin.
Age: 64.
Job: Superintendent, Meridian Public School District.
Education: Bachelor's degree in English with minors in education and psychology, William Carey College in Hattiesburg; master's degree in curriculum and instruction, University of New Orleans; doctorate degree in curriculum and education, University of New Orleans.
Family: Married 46 years to Arnold L. McLin; three children, Arnold Lee McLin Jr., Andrea Toce and Glenn S. McLin.