Celebrating Excellence

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –  Two schools in Northeast Mississippi get a visit from the top administrator in the state Department of Education.

This celebration of excellence brought all Booneville students, teachers and staff together for a visit from Mississippi’s superintendent of education.

“There are 144 districts in Mississippi, and you are one of only 15 out of 144 that earned an A,”  said Dr. Carey Wright, superintendent of education for Mississippi.

Dr Carey Wright says it’s important to honor the districts that have made the grade.

“Earning an A in Mississippi with our rigorous assessments and rigorous standards is not easy, so when you have a district like Booneville that has done it two years in a row, it is my delight to say congratulations,” Dr. Wright said.

District Three Representative Tracy Arnold joined Doctor Wright on her visit, and tour of some classrooms. He says recent legislation has encouraged schools to excel. Also he expects funding to remain level, with maybe a slight increase.

“Setting the bar a little higher, and Booneville has been able to achieve that mark, we’re really proud of the Booneville School District and the young people it is producing will be good, solid individuals for our community, jobs and opportunity will be available for them,” Rep. Arnold said.

Without a doubt, funding is important, but some school districts who received more money than Booneville, did not do as well in the state rankings. Teachers and administrators say, it all comes down to parental involvement and also, how that money is spent in the classrooms.

“It doesn’t matter how good the teachers are, and how hard we work, we definitely have to have the support of our parents, Booneville school district has some of the best parents you could ask for,” said Teacher Lisa Johnson.

“As a percentage of our budget, we are in the top ten in the state of Mississippi that percentage of our budget goes directly to the classroom, that’s where the magic happens each and everyday,” said Booneville Supt. Dr. Todd English.

Superintendent Wright is visiting schools in all 15 districts that made an A in state rankings.

Doctor Wright also paid a visit to the Union County School District this afternoon as part of the “Celebration of Excellence” Tour.