Superintendent Dr. Darron Edwards said the city school district is beginning to see improvements within its finances and academic participation.
The Yazoo City Municipal School District has been under Edwards’ leadership for the past six months. And he said the district is beginning to see a large number of financial savings, increased participation in various programs, a decreased dropout rate and new technology.
“Excellency is our expectation,” Edwards said, during a recent town hall meeting. “Everything we do around the school district is centered around what is best for our students.”
Edwards said since he arrived at the district last summer, over $600,000 has been saved in expenses.
Edwards was also happy to announce that new technological upgrades have been implemented within the local schools. Wifi is now available in all of the district’s buildings and inside its classrooms. Fifty laptops and 90 iPads have been purchased and put in the hands of McCoy Elementary students. Woolfolk Middle School welcomed 150 Chromebooks.
“That is new, and something that we are very proud of in the (district),” Edwards said. “We have spent over $200,000 in six months in technology to make sure we are purchasing those things to help our students be in line with technology across the state.”
Edwards said a new GED program has been established within the district.
“We have increased the number of students we have in full enrollment as well as within our GED courses,” he said. “Those are just some of the things that we are doing to make sure our students are college and career ready. It is our goal to make sure all of our students graduate this year.”
Edwards added that the district’s dropout rate has decreased.
“We will continue to make progress in the right direction,” he continued.
Edwards said he understands there are some challenges with the future of the local city schools. But he said the recent improvements are just a starting point if the whole community pulls together for the district’s improvement.
“If we are going to progress, one person can’t do it,” he said. “If we are going to win in this community, we have to win together. It cannot be one person.”
Edwards cited an African proverb for his inspiration, stating “if we are going to go fast, go alone. If we are going to forward, we have to go together.”
“Whether we like it or not we have to work together as a team,” Edwards said. “And it doesn’t mean it always makes the adults happy.”
