February 22, 2018
The Office of Safe and Orderly Schools is responsible for guidelines and policies to assist those who are responsible for the health and safety of students and staff while they are at school, on school grounds, on their way to or from school, and involved in school-sponsored activities.
Safe and Orderly Schools Staff members are:
Bill Welch, Director
Angelo Nuzzo, Finance and Special Projects
Brooks Little, Project Manager
Alexandria Davis, Administrative Assistant
School Buildings & Facilities
Mark Hobson, School Facilities Supervisor
Dennis Meador, School Facilities Supervisor
School Safety
Chad Callender, School Safety Director
Jennifer Skelton, School Safety Specialist
Darin Dorsey, School Safety Specialist
Pupil Transportation
Donny Gray, Pupil Transportation Director
Janice M. Shannon, Bus Driver Training Supervisor
Drivers Education
Janice M. Grant, Driver Education Supervisor
Gentry Smith, Driver Education Technician
John Majors, Driver Education Technician
Tony Adams, Driver Education Technician
MDE Communications Team Interview with Bill Welch, Director of Safe and Orderly Schools
What is your role in the MDE?
My role is to lead the four different divisions within the Office of Safe and Orderly Schools (OSOS). The divisions include driver education, pupil transportation, school buildings and grounds and school safety. My focus is to work with each division to ensure we are providing as much support to local districts and other stakeholders as possible. In addition to this work, I also assist with school district consolidations as mandated through legislation.
What do you want your colleagues to know about your work?
First, that we have a good group of dedicated employees in the Safe and Orderly Schools Office. Since we do not have a direct effect on student achievement, I sometimes feel the office is unnoticed unless an unfortunate event happens that falls within the realm of one of the divisions listed above. However, I believe most days we come to work with the mindset that today is a great day to assist other offices, districts and parents with any issues they are experiencing. We enjoy the work and the challenges.
How does your work promote a strong MDE?
Our work promotes a strong MDE by having a strong bond with local school districts. My message to staff is that we work here at the MDE, but our clients are local districts and parents even though most we may never actually meet. I believe we do a good job of promoting a positive MDE with districts and other organizations. We have a very positive working relationship with the Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security, Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Training Academy, Mississippi School Plant Management Association, and other organizations that support our work to help provide a safe and orderly school environment.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people, without question. I enjoy coming to work even on the most trying days. I feel we provide a service to the department, local districts, parents and other groups and I believe that is our purpose. The Office of SOS is made up of a mixture of folk that have been here several years along with many new faces. I enjoy the opportunities and challenges that come with trying to ensure we all respect the past but are not afraid to step out and do something in a different manner.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is knowing that we have a positive influence in our office. My success is defined on how the entire office interacts and assists our clients. I take pride in providing as many training opportunities to staff as our budget will allow. Watching staff mature in their work and knowing other opportunities could be available in this office or others, if they choose to pursue a different position, is success to me.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519