January 8, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – The newly elected Claiborne County School Board met Friday with the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) and Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) officials to discuss the process of returning the school district back to the community by July 1.
Upon unanimous request, the school board members requested the meeting take place at the MSBA offices in Clinton on Friday. No action was taken, but board members learned about the process for returning the school district to the community and training opportunities by the MSBA.
“Our goals are not to disrupt the school year for students and to ensure the school district’s finances are in order. We want a smooth transition for the benefit of students and the community,” said Pat Ross, MDE’s chief school performance officer.
In September 2013, the Mississippi State Board of Education determined that an extreme emergency existed in the Claiborne County School District, and an emergency declaration was signed by Gov. Phil Bryant. That allowed the MDE to remove the local school district board and superintendent and appoint a conservator to oversee district operations.
Since that time, the conservator has worked to clear deficiencies in the district and the community elected a new board. That board, with assistance from the MDE, will appoint a new school district superintendent.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519