Video: School Merger Dispute Could Head To Court

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The merger of the Starkville and Oktibbeha County School Districts could end up in federal court.

That’s the word from Starkville Superintendent Dr. Lewis Holloway.

Holloway says the U.S. Department of Justice as passed along several concerns about the upcoming consolidation which takes effect July 1 under legislation approved three years ago.

Among them, not bringing over the 6th grade students from the county this upcoming school year.

Holloway says Starkville simply doesn’t have the space right now, and the justice department report also takes issue with the lack of diversity at East Oktibbeha Elementary.

“They also had concerns with us closing the two high schools and dismissing all of the staff,” Holloway said. “They want to see a way if we could retain all the staff as well as utilize those building. If you do that, you don’t need to consolidate, because you can not save any money.”