The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors made a wise move Monday morning when it voted to allocate up to $15,000 to fund a public relations campaign aimed at stopping the proposed relocation of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science from Mississippi University for Women to the campus of Mississippi State University. The city of Columbus is expected to vote Tuesday on matching funds, and the MUW Foundation has pledged be a third partner. Each entity will be responsible for one-third of expenses.

This coalition intends to step forward with a coordinated plan: hire a PR firm to inform Mississippians about the real motivations and real consequences behind the proposed move.

At the heart of this push is a detail that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention outside Columbus: The plan to move MSMS is a key funding strategy for a new Starkville High School. Under the plan, a new “mega-campus” would be built for SHS and MSMS with some shared infrastructure such as a library, cafeteria, an “arena” and a shared administrative building. By piggybacking on MSMS, Starkville’s school district will save millions by relying on state funding.

For the other 143 school districts in the state, this clearly isn’t fair. From Southaven to Ocean Springs, when a school district needs a new building, they can’t hold out their hand to the state to help with funding; they have to pay for it themselves. Why should Starkville get state money for a new high school? And yet, few Mississippians outside Lowndes County know this is even on the table. That’s exactly why this PR initiative is so important.

The marketing plan, projected at $6,000 a month for six months, is a modest but strategic investment. If successful, it should be extended through the 2026 legislative session, where the fate of this relocation may ultimately be decided. By then, with the help of this PR effort, more Mississippians should understand this isn’t just about geography — it’s about equity, efficiency, and recognizing the legacy and success of MSMS where it is.

Just as important as funding the plan is managing it well. That means designating a clear point person to work with the marketing firm and local stakeholders — someone who can keep messaging consistent and ensure day-to-day coordination. And from the start, there must be clear goals and metrics: Are more Mississippians aware of the financial implications of the move? Are lawmakers hearing from constituents who now understand what’s at stake?

This isn’t about being anti-Starkville or anti-change. It’s about shining a light on a plan that, if left unchallenged, could divert state resources to subsidize a local obligation.

MSMS is a Mississippi success story, and its future should not be steered by backroom deals or buried funding shifts. The people of Columbus are right to push back — and we think this plan is an important next step to doing that the right way.

Let’s make sure the rest of Mississippi hears them.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.