Columbus group files charter school paperwork
A Columbus group has filed a letter of intent to open a charter school in Lowndes County.
The Columbus Coalition for Educational Options filed a letter of intent with the state last week to establish an elementary school and a boys’ academy.
Legislators face myriad challenges in ’14 session
Representatives and senators in the Golden Triangle will meet with their colleagues in Jackson Tuesday for the 2014 regular legislative session to address budgetary, education and public safety challenges among others over the next three months.
Application released for Mississippi charter schools
Groups seeking to establish a charter school in Mississippi have until March 14 to submit their applications, though officials may continue to fine-tune the application forms.
Columbus charter school group wants to provide options
A Columbus organization is one step closer to submitting a charter school application to the state.
Columbus Coalition for Educational Options hosted a public information forum Tuesday night to talk about their plans for a public charter school and answer questions from citizens about what a charter school could mean for local students.
Columbus group hopes to open charter school
A group of citizens is hoping to bring a charter school to Columbus as early as the upcoming school year.
Led by retired businessman Claude Simpson and pastor Darren Leach of Genesis Church, the Columbus Coalition for Educational Options was established to give children another option besides public school.
Interim superintendent will serve on charter board
JACKSON — Interim state Superintendent of Education Lynn House will serve on the new Charter School Authorizer Board, but probably only until a new permanent
Bryant names three to charter school board
Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed three members to the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board, the board responsible for approving and overseeing public charter schools in Mississippi.
Policy expert sheds light on charter schools
With the arrival of charter schools quickly approaching in Mississippi, local residents are learning how area public schools could be affected.
Dr. Laurie Smith, Education Policy Advisor to the Governor, spoke about “Education Works 2013” to Rotary Club members Tuesday.
Leaders must name charter school board members
JACKSON — And now the waiting begins. With the July 1 effective date for Mississippi’s expanded charter school law, the next step is to nominate
Bryant signs charter school, other education bills
Gov. Phil Bryant continues to tout the potential of new education measures.
The Republican Bryant signed four bills into law Wednesday at Northwest Rankin High School, where he pledged last fall to seek many of the changes and promised students he would come back to sign the bills before them.
Many Golden Triangle districts eligible for charter schools
Charter schools could begin showing up in area school districts as early as next year, pending Gov. Phil Bryant’s signature on House Bill 369, which passed the Senate last week 34-18. The governor has said he will sign the bill, opening the door for up to 15 charter schools per year to open in struggling and failing school districts across the state.
Education focus shifts to implementation
If 2013 was the education session for Mississippi’s Legislature, it will be followed by the implementation season.
State leaders will have to create structures to authorize charter schools and fund prekindergarten programs. Literacy coaches will have to be hired to implement a new focus on reading grades K-3, along with training for thousands of teachers.
CMSD considers Lee sale, impact of charter school law
The Columbus Municipal School District has yet to reach a decision on the sale of the Lee Middle School property. After meeting for nearly three-and-a-half hours Monday, the CMSD Board of Trustees entered into an hour-long executive session to discuss potential litigation and the sale of district-owned property.
Charter school bill passes
Charter schools have cleared their most difficult remaining legislative hurdle in Mississippi.
House members voted 62-56 Tuesday with no debate to approve a House-Senate agreement on House Bill 369.
Senate agrees to House bill on charter schools
Faced with repeated warnings that changes could jeopardize support, Mississippi senators have agreed to the House version of a bill to expand charter schools.
Analysis: Reeves risks blame if charter bills fail
JACKSON — Tate Reeves looked like a wizard after his first legislative session as Mississippi lieutenant governor. But the reputation of the Republican leader of
Charter schools votes shift in House
JACKSON — Some Mississippi House members shifted their positions on a bill that would provide for charter school expansion in the state, allowing it to
Charter school bill loses House vote, but not dead
Mississippi House members don’t want to proceed with a Senate-backed education bill that includes a proposal for charter schools expansion.
Charter school proponent Bomgar named to state education board
A leading proponent of charter schools may be joining the state Board of Education.
House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said Monday he’s appointing Joel Bomgar to the board, pending Senate confirmation.
Senate passes latest plan for education changes
In their latest plan to improve Mississippi public schools, state senators are offering a compromise on requirements to become a teacher and doing away with a proposal to make it easier for the state to take over troubled schools.