The Simpson County School Board recently held their monthly board meeting and Dr. Deidre Randall presented a benchmark report for the third term with projected accountability scores for each school.
Dr. Randall explained that benchmark tests are purposefully more difficult than what students can expect on the state tests, and students generally score between 20 to 30 points higher on their state tests.
Based on the current benchmark scores, the predicted accountability rating for Magee Elementary and Magee Middle School is an F with Magee High School’s predicted accountability rating being a C.
Mendenhall Elementary School’s predicted accountability rating is a D, Mendenhall Junior High is an F, and Mendenhall High School is a B.
Simpson Central School’s predicted accountability score is a C.
When asked about state trends, Dr. Randall explained that these trends are not as severe as what is being seen in SCSD. She also said that no median is being seen throughout the state with only high achieving or low achieving districts. Dr. Randall said that the majority of the high achieving districts have high proficiency points over growth points.
Dr. Randall explained that the district has a high focus on growth but should emphasize proficiency over growth to be a successful school district. She emphasized that growth is not always sustainable from year to year, but getting students proficient—working on grade level— will be.
Superintendent Dr. Paul Lawrence updated the board on strategic planning meetings that were held at Co-Lin and Title 1 meetings held at Magee Elementary School. He also announced that SCSD won a state award for the outstanding job done by the Community Engagement Council, the Council of Promise award presented by the Mississippi Department of Education.
Dr. Lawrence also discussed the cost analysis of moving the Mendenhall Jr. High School to the Mendenhall High School Campus. Dr. Lawrence presented the board with two options that will remove students from MJH campus.
Option one was to make the 7th and 8th grade classes a part of Mendenhall High School and the 6th grade would be moved to Mendenhall Elementary School. Dr. Lawrence said this would save the district approximately $128,000.
Option two was to move MJH campus to existing space at the high school campus. This option would keep Mendenhall Junior High as a separate school and would require the installation of metal building on the campus to facilitate classrooms. Dr. Lawrence estimated the metal buildings to cost $110,000 each.
Each option came with pros and cons to consider. Board member Stacey Herrin expressed concern on option one having seventh and eighth grade students around high school students. Dr. Randall also highlighted that these test scores would affect the accountability grades of the high school. Before only the algebra state test scores were considered in the high school accountability rating, now that would only account for one third. The seventh and eighth grade math scores would also be used in calculating the accountability grade and these scores are traditionally lower. She said this would not affect the district score overall because they account for all of these students anyway, but it would affect Mendenhall High School.
Keeping the schools separate on the same campus also called for minor details to be worked out such as drop off and pickup, insurance, parking, and other things to be considered.
Dr. Lawrence stressed that these options were only for the board to consider and study over the proposals for discussion at a future meeting. He said no decision will be made before a town hall meeting is held to get input from the public.
Board members echoed the need to remove students from the conditions at Mendenhall Junior High School. Danny Cowart said MJH is not equipped to offer the classes needed for accreditation. He said the district has to offer physical education classes and the gym at MJH is unusable due to damage. Cowart said action must be taken to get these students out of these conditions.
Stan Bulger said the board must consider every alternative that will help with educating and meeting the needs of these children in a safe and healthy environment.
Herrin stated that locating a consolidated high school on the existing Magee campus and a middle school at Mendenhall was discussed, but shot down by the board. Dr. Lawrence said it was never presented as an option.
Bids for 16th section land were opened and taken under advisement, and the Magee High School Boys Basketball Team was recognized for making it to the final four.
The board entered executive session to hear student discipline cases. Remarks from Bri Kelly were heard in executive session and open session before the meeting was adjourned.
