Video: Parents Speak Out on Starkville Schools Consolidation

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – State lawmakers who want to force the consolidation of Starkville and Oktibbeha County schools are considering some concessions that may make the move more acceptable.

Lawmakers say they are considering changes suggested by Starkville school leaders. Those include a hybrid district that would have a hired superintendent and a combination of appointed and elected school board members. Dr. Lewis Holloway could remain head of the new district and some current Starkville board members could remain as well, if the merger happens in the proposed two years. These are major concerns among parents.

“I don’t like the fact that this was something that we knew nothing about. I don’t like the fact that they’re putting language in there that does away with the administration and with the leadership of a school system in the city that has had considerable success and I think it’s on a really good trajectory,” says Jeremiah Dumas, who has children in the Starkville School District.

Legislators also are discussing providing more than $200,000 a year to fund some of the transitional costs. The House Education Committee will take up the revised bill on Wednesday (1-30-13).