| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

New JSU president fills cabinet with familiar faces, including IHL’s former attorney

Tue, 01/23/2024 - 11:31 AM

Marcus Thompson, the newly appointed president of Jackson State University, has finalized six key administrative hires as his tenure reaches the two-month mark.

That includes Alla Jeanae Frank, a former assistant commissioner of operations at the Institutions of Higher Learning, who will now serve as a special assistant to the president. Another familiar face is Van Gillespie, a former assistant commissioner of legal affairs at IHL, who is now Thompson’s chief of staff.

University of Mississippi to add student housing, renovate athletic facilities

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Mon, 01/22/2024 - 03:21 PM

IHL approved a $245 million bond to support Ole Miss in its planned construction and renovation.

Student housing at the University of Mississippi will soon increase by almost 1,000 beds through a $245 million bond issue approved by the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning during the Board’s regular meeting last Thursday.

Mendenhall High Student Accepts Sizable Scholarship as New Enlistee

sfairchild

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 12:42 PM

Mendenhall High School is proud to recognize senior Martasia Hollins, who recently accepted a sizable scholarship as a new enlistee of the United States Armed Forces — the first in her family to join the military.

Enlisting in the National Guard, Hollins received multiple scholarships totaling $70,000 as an incentive for joining the military, which she will use toward her higher education. Serving as a steppingstone, Hollins said the military will provide valuable life experiences, discipline and skills that will help shape her character and fortify her resolve.

Graduation rate rises, dropout rate falls in Mississippi

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Fri, 01/19/2024 - 01:31 PM

Governor Reeves extended his appreciation to all of Mississippi’s parents, teachers, and students, saying, “Our entire state is proud of you!”

Mississippi continues to make historic strides in its K-12 education system.

IHL hears requests for new baccalaureate programs at Mississippi State

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Fri, 01/19/2024 - 01:01 PM

Degree paths for public management, business office technology, and more up for consideration by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

The Lyceum Building on University of Mississippi's campus in Oxford. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

Winter weather causes virtual start to college spring semester

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Fri, 01/19/2024 - 12:41 PM

Due to icy roads and freezing temperatures, Mississippi universities across the state are moving classes online, with one school asking students to delay moving onto campus until the weather improves next week.

As of Thursday, the state’s only public universities that were open for regular business were Mississippi State University in Starkville and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Hudson Named Band Director of the Year for Second Time

sfairchild

Fri, 01/19/2024 - 12:37 PM

Mendenhall High School educator Mark Hudson was recently recognized as Band Director of the Year for the 2023-2024 School Year by the Southwest Mississippi Band Directors Association.

Hudson was elected by his peers as Band Director of the Year during the Southwest Mississippi Band Directors Association Honor Band Clinic, held Jan. 13, at Southwest Mississippi Community College. This is the second time Hudson has received this honorable distinction, with the first being in 2019.

Simpson Central Announces Honor Roll Students for Term 2

sfairchild

Fri, 01/19/2024 - 11:11 AM

Simpson Central School announces the names of its students, who made the Honor Roll for the second term of the 2023-24 School Year.

SUPERINTENDENT SCHOLARS

Eighth Grade: Johnya Johnson, Nathanial Little, John Straut

Seventh Grade: Kiptyn Lewis, Connor Woodard

Sixth Grade: Lydia Booth, Nevaeh Ellis, Layla Martin

Fifth Grade: Tinsley Aldridge, Abby Floyd, Malia Sanders, Oscar Sebren, Antonio Taylor, Taisley Taylor

Millsaps announces Neville as new President

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Wed, 01/17/2024 - 04:51 PM

The new Millsaps College President will begin his tenure in June.

Frank Neville has been announced as the new President at Millsaps College.

The Millsaps College Board of Trustees made the announcement on Wednesday, unanimously naming Neville as its 12th president following an extensive national search. The Board voted on Monday to make the hire.

SCSD Schools and Offices Closed Jan. 16

sfairchild

Mon, 01/15/2024 - 12:49 PM

Due to the forecasted winter weather scheduled for tonight, Jan. 15, Simpson County School District will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Normal operations are expected to resume as regularly scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 17.

School closed Tuesday, January 16

sfairchild

Mon, 01/15/2024 - 12:32 PM

From SCSD: Simpson County School District will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16, due to the forecasted winter weather conditions reported for tonight, Jan. 15.

MDEQ: Apply by February 23 for Mississippi Diesel School Bus Replacement Program

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Fri, 01/12/2024 - 04:21 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality:

Mississippi Dept. of Education outlines “Marathon Achievement” in State Superintendent’s report

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Thu, 01/11/2024 - 03:11 PM

All-time high graduation rate, more students taking AP tests, increased third grade reading scores, and the success of career coaches all positive signs of Mississippi’s work to improve its K-12 education system.

Mississippi University for Women set to change name to Mississippi Brightwell University

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Mon, 01/08/2024 - 11:01 PM

The university has been in the process of researching a potential name change since 2022. The new name could become official as early as July 2024.

The Other Side Podcast: Will Mississippi Supreme Court stop public funds from going to private schools?

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Mon, 01/08/2024 - 09:51 PM

Mississippi Today’s Julia James and Bobby Harrison hear from Becky Glover, policy analyst with Parents for Public School, and Will Bardwell, senior counsel with Democracy Forward, about the scheduled Feb. 6 oral arguments before the state Supreme Court in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of sending public funds to private schools. Bardwell and Glover point out that Section 208 of Mississippi’s 1890 Constitution says plainly no public funds can go to a school “not conducted as a free public school.”

Simpson County School District will dismiss early today

sfairchild

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 12:14 PM

Due to the threat of incoming inclement weather, including high winds, all Simpson County School District campuses will release at 1:45 pm today, Jan 8, 2024.

Roy Anderson Corp. awarded construction of $80 million Miss. State residence hall

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Sun, 01/07/2024 - 09:41 PM

The funding for the campus project was recently approved by IHL. Record freshman enrollment driving the need for new residential options.

Roy Anderson Corp. will construct a new $80.7 million Residence Hall at Mississippi State University in Starkville.

‘I actually feel quite valued’: Mentorship program works to retain new teachers

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Sun, 01/07/2024 - 06:11 PM

Jack Fredericks is investing in new teachers because he wants to help them stay in the classroom for the long haul.

He serves as the program coordinator for the new teacher mentorship program in the West Tallahatchie School District, something he worked with his superintendent to create after researching mentorship as a Teach Plus Mississippi policy fellow.

“It’s kind of a weird measurement to say, ‘Well the program is successful because the teachers haven’t quit,’ but a lot of new teachers do quit in the middle of the year,” he said.

SCSD 1 of 2 Finalists Selected for MDE’s Council of Promise Award

sfairchild

Thu, 01/04/2024 - 04:28 PM

Simpson County School District (SCSD) has been selected as a finalist for the Mississippi Community Engagement Council of Promise Award – an award that recognizes the district for implementing strategies and/or practices that result in improved outcomes for its learners.

Mississippi education entrepreneur Jessica Shelley shares insight into online learning

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Mon, 01/01/2024 - 09:01 PM

Dailies co-founder and Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree visits with Magnolia Tribune Business Columnist Phil Hardwick. She says it’s long overdue to unite the home, school, and community around our youth, to ensure a future and legacy we can be inspired by.

IHL approved a $245 million bond to support Ole Miss in its planned construction and renovation.

Governor Reeves extended his appreciation to all of Mississippi’s parents, teachers, and students, saying, “Our entire state is proud of you!”

Degree paths for public management, business office technology, and more up for consideration by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

The new Millsaps College President will begin his tenure in June.

All-time high graduation rate, more students taking AP tests, increased third grade reading scores, and the success of career coaches all positive signs of Mississippi’s work to improve its K-12 education system.

The university has been in the process of researching a potential name change since 2022. The new name could become official as early as July 2024.

The funding for the campus project was recently approved by IHL. Record freshman enrollment driving the need for new residential options.

Dailies co-founder and Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree visits with Magnolia Tribune Business Columnist Phil Hardwick. She says it’s long overdue to unite the home, school, and community around our youth, to ensure a future and legacy we can be inspired by.

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