| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Here’s how Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ will impact Mississippi schools

Tue, 07/29/2025 - 04:02 PM

President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, signed into law earlier this month, slashes social safety net programs that impact schools and children across the nation.

The ramifications could be particularly devastating in Mississippi, one of the most federally dependent states in the country.

A view of the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville, Miss., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Local clinics impacted by recent Title X funding cuts provide key health services to MSU students. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Mississippi colleges and universities stand to lose $32.5M for research under Trump administration

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Tue, 07/29/2025 - 03:46 PM

An analysis from the Center of American Progress shows the federal administration has canceled more than 4,000 grant awards at over 600 colleges and universities across the country.

Mississippi universities and community colleges could lose a combined $32.5 million in federal research funding under the Trump administration, according to a new report published by The Center for American Progress.

Trump admin unfreezes federal education grants

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Tue, 07/29/2025 - 01:54 PM

Mississippi schools will get millions in previously-promised federal education grants after all.

The Trump administration announced Friday that it was releasing the money, which totals billions nationwide and pays for English language instruction, adult literacy and teacher professional development, among other things.

Students solve math problems on the first day of school at North Jackson Elementary School in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, July 28, 2025. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

‘This is where the magic happens.’ Jackson schools welcome students back for first day of classes

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Tue, 07/29/2025 - 01:46 PM

As teenagers flooded into Callaway High School on Monday morning, one shirt that read “last first day” drew the attention of Jackson Public Schools administrators greeting students at the door.

“Last first day!” cheered Superintendent Errick L. Greene, prompting a smile from the senior striding past.

Across the city, students went back to school Monday for the start of the new year. For some, it was their first day in a classroom. For others, like Rakeem Burney, it would be the last time they celebrated the first day of grade school.

Jackson-based charter school receives approval to expand into high school

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Thu, 07/24/2025 - 05:06 PM

Ambition Preparatory Charter School plans to offer ninth grade starting in 2027 and add one grade level each year thereafter.

On Monday, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board (MCSAB) approved a request for Jackson-based Ambition Preparatory Charter School to expand its grades into high school.

New scholarship opportunity offers affordable option for Mississippi college students to earn degree

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Thu, 07/24/2025 - 01:46 PM

University of Southern Mississippi and Pearl River Community College announced Wednesday a new coastal pathways scholarship that will give graduates of the two-year school a way to complete their bachelor’s degree at USM.

The collaboration announced at USM’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach is part of a regional initiative to boost education access and add job opportunities to the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. In May, USM held a similar event with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

State Board of Education hears update on federal funding, finalizes FY 2027 legislative budget request

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Thu, 07/24/2025 - 01:34 PM

The Mississippi Department of Education is monitoring changes in federal funding while looking ahead to next session with a $2.9 billion budget request for lawmakers.

Members of the State Board of Education received mixed news pertaining to ESSER funding during last week’s Mississippi Department of Education meeting.

Judge Wingate temporarily blocks anti-DEI law in Mississippi

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Thu, 07/24/2025 - 12:02 PM

Supporters of the law say decisions at public schools and universities should be based on merit, not race or sexual orientation. The ACLU and the Mississippi Center for Justice claim the new law violates the Constitution.

Enforcement of the anti-DEI law passed by the Mississippi Legislature this last session has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

Students practice sounding out words at Ambition Prep Charter School on Dec. 4, 2019. Credit: Kayleigh Skinner, Mississippi Today

Board green lights second charter high school for Mississippi

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Thu, 07/24/2025 - 11:58 AM

Ambition Preparatory Charter School will expand to become the second charter high school in the state.

The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board approved the expansion at its Monday meeting, while a handful of Ambition Prep students and administrators watched in the audience.

The school, which was opened by executive director DeArchie Scott in August 2019, currently serves kindergarten through eighth grade. The expansion will make Ambition Prep Jackson’s only charter high school.

Auditor notes delay of teacher classroom funds; House chairman says it was expected

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Wed, 07/23/2025 - 09:18 AM

“The difference in timing this year was to comply with state law and not get cross with the Auditor’s Office,” House Education chair says, noting the issuance of new procurement cards.

A report issued by the State Auditor’s Office this week shows that some state support for qualifying classrooms is going to be approved after the start of the school year.

A state lawmaker says the delay is due to new cards being issued.

Co-Lin to host back to school workshop for parents

sfairchild

Tue, 07/22/2025 - 11:14 AM

Bridge Builders, a temporary group of current and retired educators from Simpson and Hinds Counties, will host a free back-to-school workshop this Saturday, July 26, at the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Simpson County Center in Mendenhall.
The event, titled “Parents Are 1st Teachers,” will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the aim of equipping parents and guardians with tools and information to help their children succeed in the upcoming school year.

Pickle ball courts now at D’Lo Water Park

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sfairchild

Tue, 07/22/2025 - 10:58 AM

Whether you’re a seasoned player or just discovering the game, these new pickle ball courts invite the whole community to join in the fun.
The kitchen—once an unfamiliar term to many—has quickly become the heart of friendly competition and laughter, echoing with the sound of rallies and cheers. With the addition of these new courts, D’Lo Water Park has firmly established itself as a hub for recreation and connection, where neighbors gather, friendships form, and everyone is welcome “in the kitchen.”

Taurean Morton, state director of Reading Roadmap, helps students practice sounding out the first letter in a word during the afterschool literacy program in the Mississippi Delta, Oct. 10, 2023. Credit: Julia James/Mississippi Today

Mississippi schools face $51M Trump federal funding freeze just days before classes start

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Mon, 07/21/2025 - 11:36 AM

Mississippi schools are going into the new academic year with holes in their budgets, thanks to the federal government’s decision to freeze billions in education dollars.

Across the country, about $5 billion is on hold — money that pays for professional development, adult literacy and programming for English language learners. Of that amount, $51 million is frozen for Mississippi.

Thad Cochran US Courthouse in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, July 19, 2023. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Federal judge temporarily blocks Mississippi’s new DEI ban

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Mon, 07/21/2025 - 10:48 AM

A federal judge has temporarily paused enforcement of the state law that prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion programs from Mississippi public schools and universities.

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate on Sunday approved the request for a temporary restraining order sought by a coalition of civil rights and legal organizations on behalf of students, parents and educators.

Tommy Nalls, director of recruitment for Jackson Public Schools, kicks off a job fair at Kirksey Middle School on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Credit: Devna Bose/Mississippi Today

With a quarter of teaching posts unfilled, Jackson Public Schools hosts job fair

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Sat, 07/19/2025 - 09:48 AM

The Kirksey Middle School bleachers were packed on Thursday evening with nearly 200 people looking for a job at Jackson Public Schools.

Among the crowd was Sade Montgomery, who was nervously thumbing through copies of her resume. Even though she isn’t certified to teach, Montgomery was looking for a job that would let her spend more time with her 5-year-old daughter. She thought the fair was a good place to start.

Jackson State University at Prentiss and J.R. Lynch Streets. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

IHL reps assure wary JSU alums the president search will be ‘open and engaging’

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Sat, 07/19/2025 - 09:36 AM

Alums of the historically Black university demanded to meet with the state’s governing board that has overseen the selection process of its past college presidents. The board finally did. Questions still linger over whether the board will follow its policies and procedures for the leadership search this time.

In the aftermath of a revolving door of presidents at Jackson State University, members of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board tasked with naming a new leader sought to defuse alumni concerns.

Some Alcorn students at Lorman to be housed in hotel while dorm repairs conclude

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Sat, 07/19/2025 - 09:22 AM

IHL approved a 123-day contract with Magnolia Bluffs Hotel owned by Magnolia Bluffs Casino for overflow housing.

Due to necessary repairs, some students attending the Lorman Campus of Alcorn State University will be housed in hotel rooms for about 123 days.

The matter was approved during a special called meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning on Friday afternoon.

Miss. State to offer first-of-its-kind construction management graduate degree

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Sat, 07/19/2025 - 08:42 AM

The Master of Science in Construction degree can be earned online or through in-person instruction.

Next month, Mississippi State University will begin offering an advanced degree in the field of construction.

The Master of Science in Construction was recently approved by the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The school said it will give graduates the skills they need to take on leadership roles in the field.

‘Will you trust us?’: JPS plan for stricter cellphone policy makes some parents anxious

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Thu, 07/17/2025 - 01:48 PM

Superintendent Errick Greene wanted to be very clear with the roughly 50 parents who attended Thursday night’s community listening session: Jackson Public Schools already has a policy banning students from using cellphones at school.

Five of Mississippi’s public universities named to 2025 Best Colleges list

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Wed, 07/16/2025 - 01:38 PM

University selections were based on education quality, affordability and alumni outcomes.

Five of Mississippi’s eight public universities were included in the 2025 Best Colleges listing by Money, a data-driven financial website.

Of the 2,400 four-year public and private non-profit colleges across the nation, Money selected more than 700 to be named as one of its 2025 Best Colleges based on the quality of the education provided, how the alumni were managing after graduation, and the affordability of earning a degree.

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