| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Mississippi State Superintendent of Education nomination could be in jeopardy

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Mon, 03/27/2023 - 01:28 PM

The Mississippi Senate has until sine die to take up Dr. Robert Taylor’s nomination. Multiple sources have indicated that the Senate is unlikely to act, effectively denying the confirmation of Dr. Taylor.

Mississippi authorizes issuance of EEF procurement cards to eligible charter school teachers

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Mon, 03/27/2023 - 11:46 AM

Over 3,000 Mississippi children receive their education in a public charter school.

On March 22nd, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) approved House Bill 1173, authorizing the issuance of Education Enhancement Funds (EEF) classroom supply procurement cards to eligible charter school teachers.

Ronald Barnes, School Violence Prevention Coordinator for Covington County Schools, uses a keycard in order to enter Carver Middle School in Collins, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Bill to arm school employees raises concerns about liability

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Fri, 03/24/2023 - 02:54 PM

Some school districts in Mississippi are worried about the financial and legal ramifications of a bill which would allow them to arm employees as a school safety measure.

Lawmakers prepare for legislative session at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Superintendents to Legislature: Please fully fund our schools

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Fri, 03/24/2023 - 02:42 PM

Superintendents from across the state are visiting the Legislature this week with a message: Please support fully funding our schools.

Senate leaders introduced a plan earlier this month to give an additional $181 million to public schools by slightly modifying the state’s public school funding formula, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program or MAEP, and fully funding the new version.

Mississippi's Education and Research where the Institutions of Higher Learning has its offices. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

Despite assurances, IHL board does not publicly discuss JSU leadership at its regular meeting

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Fri, 03/24/2023 - 02:04 PM

As speculation swirled over the last month about former Jackson State University president Thomas Hudson’s resignation, the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees repeatedly promised the public it would discuss “the future leadership” of the university at its regular board meeting.

Magnolia Peach

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Wed, 03/22/2023 - 08:48 AM

The Magee Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Magnolia Peach, a ladies boutique located on Main Street Magee. It is owned by Maicy-Renee Orzechowski. The business will offer a unique line of women’s fashion for all occasions. Friends, supporters and members of the Chamber welcomed the new shop to downtown.

MDE: 61 Mississippi Schools Earn the Military Star School Designation

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Tue, 03/21/2023 - 10:46 AM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has named 61 schools the state’s first Military Star Schools. This designation recognizes schools that have made a significant commitment to supporting military families and children of service members.

MDE Announces 2023 State Administrator of the Year, Teacher of the Year Finalists

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Fri, 03/17/2023 - 07:24 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced today the finalists for the 2023 Mississippi Administrator of the Year and the 2023 Mississippi Teacher of the Year.

As one Jackson State president resigns, another is still suing the university and IHL

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Fri, 03/17/2023 - 05:12 PM

William Bynum Jr.’s lawsuit against Jackson State University and the Institutions of Higher Learning is still open more than three years after the former university president, who had been arrested in a prostitution sting, resigned his post.

The lawsuit, delayed in Hinds County Circuit Court, has dragged on long enough to see Bynum’s replacement, Thomas Hudson, tender his own resignation. Hudson is the third consecutive Jackson State president to resign, but unlike his predecessors, the public has not been told why Hudson stepped down.

Student Center on the campus of Jackson State University. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

‘There’s a lot of speculation’: While some in JSU community want more answers after Hudson’s resignation, others say it’s just another chapter closed

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Thu, 03/16/2023 - 12:54 PM

The official announcement Tuesday of Thomas Hudson’s resignation as Jackson State University president drew mixed reaction from students, faculty and alumni.

The 7 p.m. press release from the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees came on the second day of JSU’s spring break. Many people were confused, but not surprised, by the news, and felt it was the writing on the wall after Hudson was placed on administrative leave earlier this month.

PEER memo raises questions about hiring process for State Superintendent of Education

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Thu, 03/16/2023 - 12:50 PM

The memo states that the Board of Education’s selection process lacked transparency and provided specific instances that backed up their claim.

On Wednesday, a Mississippi Senate Education subcommittee held a meeting with Dr. Robert Taylor, the new State Superintendent of Education, and Rosemary Aultman, Chair of the Mississippi State Board of Education.

Hudson resigns as JSU president, IHL announces

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Thu, 03/16/2023 - 11:02 AM

Nearly two weeks after being put on administrative leave, Thomas Hudson has resigned as president of Jackson State University.

According to a Tuesday news release from the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, Commissioner Alfred Rankins has accepted Hudson’s resignation. It will be effective March 31. Hudson will remain on administrative leave, with pay, until then.

A call and text to Hudson’s cell phone was not returned. A JSU spokesperson told Mississippi Today that the university would not be releasing its own statement.

Nikki Carpenter, Materials Management, delivered supplies.

SGH donates supplies to Honduras mission team

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Tue, 03/14/2023 - 03:03 PM

Simpson General Hospital has donated over $7000 worth of beyond use date supplies to Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International out of Hattiesburg, MS.
Dr. Russell Rooks, General Surgeon, and his team go to Honduras twice a year to perform general surgeries for the local communities.

Due to Jackson's water issues, portable toilets are placed outside of Jackson State University's Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

JSU students pleading for fixes to campus water system as officials quietly seek funding

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Mon, 03/13/2023 - 12:12 PM

While Jackson State University officials are quietly working to pull funding for an improved campus water system, students continue to complain of inadequacies.

The historically Black university, situated in the oldest neighborhood in the capital city, has struggled with unreliable water for years — even when there’s not an acute crisis.

MDE: State Board of Education approves three new early learning collaboratives to serve pre-K 4-year-olds

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Fri, 03/10/2023 - 02:58 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted today to add three new early learning collaboratives (ELC) to the current list of 35 to provide high-quality early childhood education pre-K programs to 4-year-old students.

Education Legislation: See what’s still alive

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Fri, 03/10/2023 - 02:54 PM

Proposed MAEP formula changes, EEF procurement cards for charter schools, and increased school board pay among education bills still alive late in session.

With nearly three weeks left in the 2023 Mississippi Legislative session, lawmakers faced a deadline on Wednesday for original floor action on general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the other chamber.

Any bills that were not taken up by either chamber on Wednesday’s deadline died.

Ole Miss Honors College celebrates 25 years

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Fri, 03/10/2023 - 02:50 PM

The Barksdales have gifted the Honors College at the University of Mississippi over $37 million.

The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

A gala event hosted at The Inn at Ole Miss drew over 300 honors students, alumni, donors, staff, faculty, and other stakeholders to mark the milestone.

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

Major questions unanswered about JSU president’s leave one week later

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Fri, 03/10/2023 - 12:46 PM

Significant questions surrounding the abrupt pause to Thomas Hudson’s tenure as president of Jackson State University remain one week after the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees placed him on administrative leave with pay.

So far, a spokesperson from the board has declined to answer multiple questions in detail.

A view of the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

Bill to fully fund public education heads to House for consideration. Here’s what the changes would mean.

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Fri, 03/10/2023 - 11:24 AM

The Mississippi Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved two bills to change the state’s school funding formula and “fully fund” the new version, but the bills may face challenges in the House and from the governor.

Lawmakers pass legislation allowing educators to be armed

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Wed, 03/08/2023 - 01:46 PM

The School Safety Guardian Act is meant to allow school boards to train teachers and school staff to respond to an active shooter situation.

The Mississippi Senate has until sine die to take up Dr. Robert Taylor’s nomination. Multiple sources have indicated that the Senate is unlikely to act, effectively denying the confirmation of Dr. Taylor.

Over 3,000 Mississippi children receive their education in a public charter school.

The memo states that the Board of Education’s selection process lacked transparency and provided specific instances that backed up their claim.

Proposed MAEP formula changes, EEF procurement cards for charter schools, and increased school board pay among education bills still alive late in session.

The Barksdales have gifted the Honors College at the University of Mississippi over $37 million.

The School Safety Guardian Act is meant to allow school boards to train teachers and school staff to respond to an active shooter situation.

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The Mississippi Senate has until sine die to take up Dr. Robert Taylor’s nomination. Multiple sources have indicated that the Senate is unlikely to act, effectively denying the confirmation of Dr. Taylor.

Over 3,000 Mississippi children receive their education in a public charter school.

The memo states that the Board of Education’s selection process lacked transparency and provided specific instances that backed up their claim.

Proposed MAEP formula changes, EEF procurement cards for charter schools, and increased school board pay among education bills still alive late in session.

The Barksdales have gifted the Honors College at the University of Mississippi over $37 million.

The School Safety Guardian Act is meant to allow school boards to train teachers and school staff to respond to an active shooter situation.

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