| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Mississippi Governor elected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board

Tue, 06/24/2025 - 02:58 PM

SREB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislatures to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has been elected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board.

The Southern Regional Education Board works with states through an interstate compact aimed at improving education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.

IHL approves Mississippi Early Childhood Inclusion Center, new degree paths

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Tue, 06/24/2025 - 02:28 PM

New degree paths were added at Southern Miss, Mississippi State and Delta State.

Mississippi’s Board of Trustees for the Institutions of Higher Learning approved the creation of several new degree programs and the establishment of a new center during last week’s regular meeting.

Republican Women donate to library

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Tue, 06/24/2025 - 12:42 PM

The Republican Women of Simpson County recently contributed a copy of The Declaration of Independence to the Harrisville Public Library in recognition and support of the Mamie Eisenhower Literacy Program (MELP), a vital initiative that promotes literacy within the community. Present at the occasion were Republican Women of Simpson County Vice-President Judy Yates, left; Literacy Chair Judy Lee, right; and Library Branch Manager Kathie Ward, center. Yates said, “We were honored to participate in this event.

Mississippi State Board of Education removes U.S. History end-of-course testing requirement

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Mon, 06/23/2025 - 12:06 PM

State Superintendent Evans said fewer state tests required to graduate should be less taxing on educators, students and families.

High school students in Mississippi will no longer have to take a U.S. History end-of-course assessment, but the class will remain a requirement for graduation.

Mississippi K-12, higher education boards adopt policy to handle DEI complaints

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Fri, 06/20/2025 - 12:08 PM

No significant comments were reported to have been submitted to the Mississippi Department of Education or the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning during their public comment period.

The Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and the Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) on Thursday adopted a new policy aimed at complying with HB 1193, the state’s new law prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in public K-12 schools as well as in Mississippi’s public colleges and universities.

Two Cities Church in North Carolina student ministry and several leaders served the Simpson County community the week of June 7-14, 2025. According to Youth Pastor Justin Moormann they were challenged by a local pastor who said sometimes we can get so busy helping who is right in front of us or getting excited about going far away to help others versus taking time to literally realize who is on the other side of the train tracks that we can do more life with.

Youth Group Brings Help and Hope to Local Communities

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Tue, 06/17/2025 - 12:55 PM

Summer is in full swing with vacation plans well under way for many. However, Two Cities Church student ministry spent a week of their summer break being the hands and feet of Jesus serving needs through Mendenhall Ministries.
Two Cities Youth Pastor Justin Moormann brought 71 of the 230 students’ grades 9th through 12th and 14 adult leaders June 7-14. The group stayed in the MM dorms.

The Simpson County School Board voted to rescind consolidation during their June 12 meeting. The motion passed by a majority vote. Standing from left to right Superintendent Dr. Paul Lawrence, Board members Lillie Hardy, Ralph Walker, Thomas Ray Floyd, Terra Mallette, Stacey Herrin, and Board Attorney John Hooks.

Consolidation Rescinded

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Tue, 06/17/2025 - 12:46 PM

At a recent meeting of the Simpson County School Board, members voted to officially rescind a motion passed by the previous board to build a consolidated high school. The decision passed by a majority vote, with board member Thomas Ray Floyd making the motion and Stacey Herrin seconding it. Board President Ralph Walker and Lillie Hardy voted against the move.

Mendenhall Elementary students at the Miss Mississippi pageant

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Tue, 06/17/2025 - 12:44 PM

Mendenhall Elementary students represented well at the Miss Mississippi pageant as Magnolia Belles. Mary Elizabeth Thompson, 5th grade, Ruari Jai Duckworth and Charme Easterling 2nd grade.

Krissy Hamilton with Freedom Ranch Wildlife Center with turkey vulture, Mariah. Researchers have discovered when vultures are circling at high altitudes in the sky their heart rates are the same as if they were on ground resting.

Wildlife Takes the Stage at Harrisville Library

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Tue, 06/17/2025 - 12:39 PM

Harrisville Public Library hosted Freedom Ranch Wildlife Center in Purvis, MS for their second of four events in the Summer Reading Program. The center houses a variety of animals and never disappoints.
Krissy Hamilton brought her A game with five different critters to the Harrisville Fire Department Tuesday, June 10 to a group of nearly 100 in attendance, from toddlers to older adults. For an hour she shared general knowledge, answered questions, and allowed touches of some.

The Global Teaching Project is preparing Mississippi high school students for AP STEM courses with this week’s Summer Preparatory Program at MSU. (Photo by Bryce Mitchell)

MSU welcomes Mississippi high school students for Global Teaching Project’s summer STEM program

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Thu, 06/12/2025 - 12:44 PM

STARKVILLE, Miss.—More than 100 high school students from rural school districts across the Magnolia State are gathering on Mississippi State’s campus this week for the Global Teaching Project’s ninth annual Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program.

Groups sue Mississippi education boards over new DEI law

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Wed, 06/11/2025 - 09:42 AM

A coalition of civil rights and legal organizations filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Mississippi’s education boards challenging diversity, equity and inclusion policies imposed by the Legislature at public schools, colleges and universities.

ACLU files suit against Mississippi’s new anti-DEI law

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Tue, 06/10/2025 - 05:18 PM

The state’s new law prohibits utilizing DEI practices when making decisions concerning school employment, academic opportunities, and student engagement.

Mississippi climbs to 16th in Kids Count K-12 education ranking

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Tue, 06/10/2025 - 03:38 PM

A new report ranks Mississippi’s K-12 education at 16th in the nation, the state’s highest ranking ever.

The state’s Kids Count score has steadily risen from 48th in 2014 to 30th last year — though other measures have stagnated.

Tuition, other college fee increases approved at most Mississippi institutions of higher learning

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Mon, 06/09/2025 - 04:06 PM

Salaries, inflation, new technology, and campus safety were among the reasons given for the requested increases.

Six of Mississippi’s public institutions of higher learning are increasing the price of state resident tuition. Out-of-state tuition, top tier meal plan, and housing increases were also approved.

Mississippi ranked 16th in U.S. for education in latest Kids Count national report

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Mon, 06/09/2025 - 03:48 PM

A decade ago, Mississippi ranked 48th in education in the annual publication.

The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today reports that Mississippi’s education ranking has climbed to 16th in the nation, the state’s highest ranking ever. The state ranked 48th in 2014.

Last year, the Data Book ranked Mississippi 30th in education.

State funding for Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning down from previous year

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Mon, 06/09/2025 - 12:38 PM

Appropriations bills to fund IHL and its operations were passed by lawmakers during last week’s special session.

Appropriations for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and its various operations were approved during the legislative special session held last week.

The Legislature approved $451.8 million in general support funding, a decrease from last year’s appropriation of $477.2 million, according to information filed with the Legislative Budget Office.

Hosemann, White vow to focus on school choice, teacher pay, K-12 issues in ’26

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Tue, 06/03/2025 - 03:48 PM

One day after concluding a raucous special session to pass a state budget, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White told reporters they’re planning to focus on K-12 education policy next year during the 2026 session.

Legislature adds $16 million to education funding formula, other areas of the K-12 budget

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Tue, 06/03/2025 - 10:38 AM

Increases related to addressing reading deficiencies and covering rising health insurance costs were among the funds added to Mississippi’s education budget.

The budget for the K-12 public education system in Mississippi has been set, with lawmakers increasing the student funding formula by $16 million over the prior year.

Simpson Central School Honor Roll, Term 4, 2024-2025

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Tue, 06/03/2025 - 10:29 AM

Superintendent’s Scholars:
Eighth Grade: Hunter Crutchfield, Layla Hankins, Farynn Kirkland, Kiptyn Lewis, Harmonie Lofton, Janiya Randolph, Katelyn Reed, Connor Woodard
Seventh Grade: Lydia Booth, Adalyn Boykin, Madelyn Hudson, Dixie Martin, Addalay Snow, Kae’lynn Sterling
Sixth Grade: Kennedi McLaurin
Fifth Grade: Fayelan Bynum, Timothy Catchings, Roman Ford, Callan Jenkins, Endia Peterson
Fourth Grade: Makynzie Brent, Braylee Clay, Kelsey Do, Clark Doyal, Sadie Fields, Blake Frith, Jax Lane, Kristen Neal, Bella Scarberry, Graysen Smith, Kentrell Walker

Class members are, from left, seated, Jerry Durr, John Standfield, Lawanda (Steverson) Trayler, Bertha (Hardy) Smith, Sandra (Meyers) Thompson, Nita (Durr) Skiffer, Paul Phillips, Annette (Ellzy) Hopkins, Vickie (McNair) Everett, Lucy (Layton) King, Velina (Crawford) Migel, Shelia (Odom) Sullivan, Pam (Barnes) Smith; standing, Ora Jean Sherman, Grady Berry, Shirley (Newsome) Dampeer, Chris Smith, Ginger (Smith) Lowry, Mark Steinberger, Larry (BoBo) McCaskill, Verma (Kemp) Robinson, Etta (Berry) Smith, Kathy (Pruitt) Hughes, Linda (Berry) Perkins, James Otis Roberts, Charles Paes, Philip Davis, Kent Jones, Cary Hilton, Troy Lee Dampeer, Danny Ray Thames, Steve Prestwood, Terrence Walker, W. C. King, Alexander McCullum, Jerome Walker, Keith Coleman. Attendees not pictured, Trudy (Lee) Lockhart, Bertha (Hardy) Smith.

Mendenhall High Class of 1975 50th Reunion

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sfairchild

Tue, 06/03/2025 - 10:26 AM

The Mendenhall Class of 1975 came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation on Saturday, May 31. The activities started on Friday with some classmates gathering at the Mendenhall Armory to setup and decorate. Then they met at the “Back Forty” on Main Street and enjoyed some great BBQ. The Class Reunion began at 6 p.m Saturday night. A great time was had by all. Sunday morning some classmates gathered together for a worship service at the Armory conducted by the Rev. Keith Coleman with scripture from 2 Peter 1: 3-11.

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