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Tunica County Schools closer to local control

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Tunica County Schools closer to returning to local control in 2024

The Mississippi State Board of Education on Thursday began the process of returning the Tunica County School District in 2024.

Tunica was placed under state control through the “District of Transformation” model in 2015, after an audit found “serious deficiencies” in special education, federal programs, instructional programs, career technical education and district governance, according to the Mississippi Department of Education. Margie Pulley was named interim superintendent when the takeover occurred.

Schools are placed in the this model when two state entities, the Commission on School Accreditation and Board of Education, both declare an extreme emergency situation exists in a district and the governor subsequently signs a declaration of a state of emergency. The districts lose their school boards and are instead overseen by the state Board of Education. The state board also replaces the acting superintendent with a new one of its choosing. 

The state has taken over school districts 21 times since 1996. Currently, the Noxubee County School District and Holmes County School District are under state control in this model, and the Yazoo City and Humphreys County school districts are under state control in the Achievement School District. The ASD is similar but places schools under state control for poor academic performance, whereas the District of Transformation model is for districts with accreditation violations.

To be released, a district must earn an accountability grade of C or higher for five consecutive years. In a presentation to the board, interim State Superintendent Mike Kent said “we are confident” the district will have achieved that after this academic year and requested the board allow MDE to begin searching for new school board members to eventually serve the district.

“We’re looking at an 18-month period of time where we seek board members and try to train them, and then hopefully at the end of 2023 we have the Tunica County School District in a position where we can hand it off with the best possible chance of success,” Kent said.

The state board approved, and now MDE will seek out board members to serve the school district in an “advisory capacity” under Pulley until the end of 2023, and become full voting members in January 2024. In November 2023, the state board will request the governor lift the state of emergency and return the district to local control in 2024. The new school board will then begin the search for the district’s new superintendent.

This would be the second time Tunica is returned to local control; it was first taken over by the state in 1997, and released in 2002.

Those interested in serving on the school board can complete an application here by July 14.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Ole Miss women get pair of double-doubles and roll to 83-65 March Madness win over Ball State

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www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-03-22 09:03:00

SUMMARY: Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin found solace in returning to a different arena in Waco, Texas, following a disappointing previous tournament experience. The No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels redeemed themselves with an 83-65 victory over 12th-seeded Ball State in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. Starr Jacobs led the Rebels with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kennedy Todd-Williams and Madison Scott each scored 15 points. Ole Miss dominated rebounding, leading 52-32, and will face fourth-seeded Baylor next. Coach McPhee-McCuin noted the team’s evolution since their last visit and the significance of playing in Texas, where Jacobs feels at home.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 21-23

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-03-21 08:59:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (March 21-23), Mississippi offers a range of exciting events. Highlights include Hal’s Marching MALfunction Second Line Stomp and Jessie Robinson’s blues performance in Jackson, as well as the Natchez Food & Wine Festival and the Natchez Little Theatre’s production of *This Side of Crazy*. There are also numerous exhibitions like *Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South* in Jackson and *Gold in the Hills* in Vicksburg. Other events include the 48th Annual Crawfish Classic Tennis Tournament in Hattiesburg, karaoke nights in Laurel, and a variety of family-friendly activities across the state.

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Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 14-16

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-03-14 07:26:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (March 14-16) in Mississippi offers a variety of events. In Jackson, iconic saxophonist Boney James performs at the convention center, while the JXN Food & Wine festival showcases culinary talents. The LeFleur Museum District hosts a “Week of Wonder,” and several exhibitions, including “Of Salt and Spirit,” celebrate Black quilters. Natchez features the Spring Pilgrimage tours, a reenactment of Annie Stewart’s story, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In Hattiesburg, comedian Rob Schneider performs, and various events like a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl and a talent show will take place throughout the area.

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