State Board Weakens Athletic Sanctions

JACKSON (AP) – The Mississippi Board of Education is approving a plan delaying cuts to sports and activities when school districts lose state accreditation.

The proposed change received no comments during a public comment period. But board members Johnny Franklin of Bolton and Danny Spreitler of Amory voted against it Wednesday.

Franklin argues the state shouldn’t give up pushing community members to agitate for improvements.

Since 2012, state policy has limited schools to only half an athletic season as soon as accreditation was revoked

The new rule would impose no penalties in the first year, and then cut interscholastic activities in half in the second year.

Administrators in four penalized districts say that instead of motivating the community, athletes just transfer.

The provision that would allow automatic transfers from unaccredited districts would remain.