Local students have entered a new year within the city schools, and city leaders are urging parents and guardians to begin the new season with involvement and discipline.
Mayor David Starling said local parents’ commitment to their children’s education could be the starting point in the city gaining local control of its school system again. The state has held control of the local city schools since 2019.
“Parents of Yazoo City children, please dedicate the next several months to your children and your children’s education,” said Mayor David Starling. “There is heavy conversation on will we get our school district back. We will not regain control of this district unless our students make significant progress.”
The local city schools remain under the state’s control, with the state also serving as the schools’ governing body. There has been a recent movement within the community to urge state leaders to return the municipal schools back into local control. However, such return involves a lengthy process, including the local city schools maintaining a “C” rating for five years to become eligible to revert back to local governance.
The local schools recently welcomed the arrival of Dr. Earl Watkins to lead the Mississippi Achievement School District. His assumed his role on July 1 following the resignation of Dr. Jermall Wright.
Yazoo City schools have been under the state’s control since 2019. Based on reports from the Mississippi Department of Education, the local city schools remain at a “D” or F” status, the same grade report from 2018 and 2019 when Wright arrived as superintendent.
“I am of the firm belief that no one can raise or influence your child better than you,” Starling said, to the local parents and guardians. “Please do not rely solely on (teachers and school administrators) to be the guiding force in your child’s life.”
Alderman Jammie McCoy also asked citizens to be mindful of the students as they are walking home or riding buses home from school.
“Be respectful of the buses as they are loading and unloading,” McCoy said. “We don’t want any accidents involving our school children.”
