/New superintendent of state-run Achievement School District urges Yazoo City to get involved in turning around schools

New superintendent of state-run Achievement School District urges Yazoo City to get involved in turning around schools

Nonprofit Mississippi News YAZOO CITY — The L.T. Miller Community Center was filled with people who were uncertain about the future of their school district. However, everyone seemed to be in agreement that there is a need for reform. The Mississippi State Board of Education last month announced that Humphreys County, and Yazoo City Municipal would be the two first to join the state’s new Achievement School district. The new district will be launched June 1 and is charged with fixing the state’s failing public schools. Kim Jones, who has a grandchild enrolled in the Yazoo city school system and is a member of the P-16 community engagement council, said, “It’s a positive thing, something had to occur.” “Because if it didn’t, it was going to keep going on and on and our children are going to fail.” The Yazoo City school district has 98 percent of its students enrolled in this school year. In October, the district was given an F rating. The same goes for both the elementary and middle schools. The high school was awarded a D. Jones was among the many parents, educators, and community members who attended the meeting to get their first glimpse of the man charged with improving their schools. Jermall Wright (New Achievement School District superintendent) visited Humphreys County last Wednesday to present himself and his plans for the district. Wright spoke for over an hour, warning the audience that changes may be difficult. He also said that Yazoo’s inclusion in the achievement district was an opportunity to make things right. Wright stated that this was the only opportunity, the only hope, and the only way for many students to make choices in their lives. Wright stated that Yazoo City’s Humphreys County district will not merge or be consolidated. They will remain separate schools within the achievement district, with one central office. However, their names, finances, and sports teams will all be kept separate. While some people might lose their jobs, he said that he has learned from past work experience that you can’t just fire people. You have to invest the time to train them.” Frederick Hill, Yazoo’s current superintendent, attended the meeting and stated that he is still employed by the district. The Achievement School District was created by the Legislature during the 2016 legislative session. Under the law, local school boards will be abolished and replaced with the state Board of Education. Some are concerned about the loss of local control. However, Diane Delaware, the Yazoo City Mayor, questioned whether residents had taken advantage of local control prior to the takeover. Delaware stated that “now, we have had school boards for quite some time.” “And I don’t think anyone here really knows what’s happening in our schools. So what local control are we giving up? She said that the community must be involved in their children’s education. “We haven’t grasped and taken control of our schools.” Wright stated that improvement will take time. The district might not see any changes in student outcomes next school year, as this is not an easy task. Wright encouraged the audience to continue being involved in future community meetings and engagement group discussions. Wright stated that the only way to determine if this is truly about the children or about you is by how you respond. “If it’s truly about the children, and if it’s about making things better in the lives of the families we serve, then this is your chance to make it happen.”_x000D