STARKVILLE – The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District board on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with Mississippi State University, agreeing to partner in planning for the new Starkville High School.

While the purpose of the MOU is to outline the two entities’ “mutual goals” and “anticipated responsibilities for funding, planning, constructing and operating” the high school, it is unclear on what level MSU will actually be involved.

Superintendent Tony McGee said the MOU reflects an agreement between the two entities to locate the new SHS on the north edge of its campus on the same property as Partnership Middle School.

As for other details, he said those will come with further discussion.

“It does leave some talking points for us to engage in as we go forward, but it gives us that first step,” McGee told The Dispatch after the meeting.

At least one of those talking points will revolve around the terms of the district’s lease on MSU’s property after board member Debra Prince inquired Tuesday about how it would work.

“What if 20 years down the road, they can think of a better use for that land?” she asked. “What assurance or protection does the district have?”

McGee was unsure if there’s an end-date specified yet for a lease with Mississippi State for either the high school or the Partnership School. He assured the board both partners’ attorneys would nail out the specific lease agreement for the property.

Prince also asked what impact the collaboration will have on the curriculum and day-to-day operations at the high school.

“We’ll follow the same curriculum … that part doesn’t change,” McGee said. “The administration doesn’t change. As far as the day-to-day operations of the high school, that will still fall under (the district). We’re not giving up anything curriculum-wise to Mississippi State.”

As for the other responsibilities of “funding, planning, constructing and operating” the high school, the MOU is unclear.

“The MOU is not specific on that at this point,” SOCSD Communications Director Haley Montgomery told The Dispatch. “It really leaves it open, and basically says that we will have an ongoing discussion to add the specifics to that MOU and also allows for both parties to adjust the MOU at any point during the life of the MOU.”

McGee characterized the agreement as very similar to the initial MOU with MSU for Partnership Middle School. Also built on MSU’s campus, the Partnership School has programming connected to the university, including field trips and extracurricular activities on campus, labs and projects hosted by educators.

Whether the agreement will play out the same at the new SHS is still up in the air, McGee said.

“We’re willing to explore any ideas that give our kids an opportunity and advantage to learn early and get good classroom instruction,” McGee said.

McGee hopes the collaboration and the location of the school will both bring added benefits to students, especially those considering college.

“We hope that kids take that opportunity to learn the campus and grow, so that, also when they do graduate, if they go to Mississippi State, it’s a familiar place for them,” he said. “… We know that familiarity helps kids stay in school, and so if we can help extend that over the nine through 12 years, then it lessens the gap when they get to college.”

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.