The Meridian-Lauderdale County Parents for Public Schools chapter has a new interim board president, and she’s looking to ratchet up community support for the organization.

    Meridian native Shanda Lewis Cargile was recently named to the interim president position after the former president, Norbert Luster, stepped down.

    “Basically Norbert Luster resigned and I was asked by one of the national representatives to act as interim president,” she said.

    A former teacher herself, she provides intimate working experience with the school system.

    “One of my goals is to make sure we have… an active membership,” Cargile said.

    Cargile also said she hopes to reinforce “a core group of concerned citizens” and PPS members, as well as concentrating on testing and students with special needs.

    Among other issues, Cargile said she hopes to “educate parents on the rights of their children, attending school board meetings and administrative meetings (and) most importantly how to get involved with their child’s education.”

    A graduate of Meridian High School, Cargile went to Dillard University in New Orleans before coming back to teach at Northwest Junior High School. Later, she attended the University of Mississippi and now practices family and commercial law for her private firm. 

    A general membership meeting that is slated to take place before August registration of schools will give parents who aren’t a part of PPS a chance to become acquainted with the organization, Cargile said.

    “It’s a chance for people who want to come hear what PPS is about, to get together, listen what we have to offer, what we stand for,” she said.