If Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is moved to Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women has a backup plan for the high school’s facilities.

In a letter to the campus community released Friday, President Nora Miller confirmed The W would submit a proposal to the State Board of Education to keep MSMS on its campus.

But if MSMS is relocated, Miller wrote The W will survive the loss.

“If the decision is made to move MSMS, we will address that as an opportunity for us to repurpose those facilities to enhance our programs and offerings,” Miller wrote in the letter. “No matter the outcome of the RFP process, The W is adaptable and flexible and we will be fine and sustainable for the future!”

Both MUW and MSU received requests Feb. 8 from the State Board of Education to submit proposals by Feb. 25 outlining plans to house and operate the state’s residential high school for gifted students, which has been housed at The W since its inception in 1987.

The proposals are expected to include ways the two schools intend to increase enrollment opportunities and educational programming for MSMS students.

Failed legislative attempts to move MSMS to Starkville and merge The W with MSU first called the high school’s location into question during the 2024 legislative session.

In the letter, Miller wrote her hope is for the state to invest in MSMS facilities and operations on The W campus. Most of the rest of the letter is a direct copy of talking points The W’s Legislative Engagement and Advocacy Partnership taskforce first distributed in June in support of keeping MSMS in Columbus.

The letter notes the decades of tradition the two schools share through programs and local events like Tales from the Crypt, Eighth of May and MoreStory. It also said investing in MSMS’ current infrastructure would be more fiscally responsible for the legislature than building a new school entirely.

“Both institutions are positioned well for growth and have an excellent track record of producing high-quality, exceptionally educated Mississippi students,” Miller wrote in the letter. “Funding for MSMS ultimately comes from the Mississippi Legislature. We are advocating through every available channel for funding to support their growth on our campus.”

The university did not comment on the letter when asked by The Dispatch, but Communications Director Tyler Wheat said The W is working diligently to prepare a proposal.

Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Trip Hairston, who also serves on a Columbus committee advocating to keep MSMS at The W, said while he is happy to see Miller publicly address the MSMS discussion, it is too early to discuss “conceding” in any context.

“I understand there may be some thought behind it because it’s an obvious threat, so you have to think about what that future looks like,” Hairston told The Dispatch after the letter posted on The W’s website. “However, I’m not really ready to talk about that. I may be ready to plan on it, but I’m not ready to really talk about it.”

While planning contingencies in case MSMS is moved is understandable, he said, that language may signal the wrong message.

“I appreciate the president saying what she said, and I appreciate everything she had to say,” he said. “I agree with all of it wholeheartedly, but I’m not ready to – in any way, shape or form – give any indication … that we’re ready to concede.”

Mayor Keith Gaskin, who also serves on the Columbus committee, told The Dispatch he “can’t even imagine” MSMS being located anywhere other than The W.

“My concern about that thinking is that The W already has buildings that need to be refurbished and repurposed. I stand by my strong opinion and endorsement of The W,” he said. “It is the only university in Mississippi that is in the best position to house and continue to nurture MSMS.”

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