Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science leadership is looking for more feedback on whether to relocate the residential high school that has been on the Mississippi University for Women campus since 1988.
Executive Director Donnie Cook shared a survey on Tuesday with alumni, current employees, students and parents regarding their vision for “MSMS 2.0.” He also posted a link to the survey on the MSMS Alumni Facebook group page.
In just the first day, Cook said, the survey garnered nearly 100 responses. The goal is 500, but he said that may increase due to the high response rate so far.
“I have not set a closing date for the survey as I was waiting to see how the responses come in. I’ll likely ask our foundation to send the link via email to alumni,” Cook wrote in an email to The Dispatch. “I don’t expect it to be open more than a few weeks.”
Cook previously told The Dispatch he is looking at options for a re-envisioned school, which he has dubbed “MSMS 2.0.” Those options include potentially relocating the school near Mississippi State University in Starkville — a move that would require legislative approval.
The latest survey is a way to involve more stakeholders in an exploratory process he said would take at least a year.
It includes questions such as features a new facility should incorporate, ideas for courses and areas of study, if the school should incorporate career-oriented options and where new facilities should go: On the MUW campus or in Starkville near the Partnership Middle School campus adjacent to MSU that houses Starkville-Oktibbeha sixth- and seventh-graders.
There is an option for survey-takers to elaborate on their choice of location.
“There are pros and cons to both, and we want to hear them all,” the survey reads.
This is the second survey Cook has sent out over the last few weeks, he said. The first sought feedback specifically from current MSMS employees and simply asked: “What is your opinion of this possibility (moving to Starkville)?”; and “What are the pros and cons of considering the move, in your opinion?”
Of the 55 employees receiving the survey, 29 responded, according to results Cook sent to The Dispatch on Tuesday. Of those, 37.9 percent outright said they support the move, while 34.5 percent thought it was a “bad idea.” The rest responded with a mix of indifference and other answers survey-takers could write in.
In Cook’s email to The Dispatch, he included comments he said he shared with staff during a presentation before spring break.
“I do not want to become an extension of MSU,” Cook wrote. “… I’m cautiously curious about what that would look like. I can see tremendous advantages as far as research opportunities, speakers, guest lecturers, etcetera. I have serious reservations about campus safety and keeping our students separate from Greek life and college parties.”
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