City, county school consolidation conversation must get started

To the editor:

A conversation must be started regarding consolidation of the Philadelphia and Neshoba County Public School Districts. The performance of local economies and public schools are almost always synonymous. One is often a reflection of the other. Very rarely does a community have a thriving local economy as a result of its failing public school district.

The city of Philadelphia is currently trying to grow its local economy while operating a sinking public school district. Many Mississippi towns have already run this exact experiment. Very few have ever navigated this predicament successfully. Very few, if any, have opted to voluntarily consolidate their local school districts for the sake of saving and improving the town’s economic viability.

With a sudden resurgence of economic activity in Philadelphia, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in the life of our beloved small town. We can allow the Philadelphia Public School district to continue operating as a failed institution until the state orders a mandatory consolidation. Or, we can pressure our elected officials to propose legislation that would voluntarily consolidate Philadelphia and Neshoba Central into one school district.

I am publicly asking my fellow citizens to pressure Jennifer Branning and C. Scott Bounds to submit legislation proposing the consolidation of the Philadelphia and Neshoba County Public School Districts. Consolidation of the school districts would serve as an economic stimulus for the city. This move would consolidate funding, resulting in a higher quality education for more kids, at a lower cost for taxpayers. Property values would rise and businesses would be more likely to expand or relocate to Philadelphia. Most importantly, people would be more likely to spend their money and raise their families within the city limits of Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Lee Smith

Philadelphia