LETTER/We reap what we sow

Over the past two months, the community conducted two public forums regarding the future of education in Philadelphia and Neshoba County. Although varied viewpoints were presented at each meeting, most opinions were provided by affiliates of the Community In Action (C.I.A) organization and Philadelphia Public School District board members, including the president. Not all PPSD board members who were in attendance expressed their opinion. 

This vocal majority vehemently denied considering any form of alteration to the current structure of public education in Philadelphia and Neshoba County. Their reasoning was largely centered around the group’s perceived necessity to “preserve the school district’s culture.” Individuals within the C.I.A. and PPSD school board expressed worries that black children currently enrolled in the Philadelphia Public School District would be ostracized and underrepresented if the two school districts were to consolidate. 

This opinion is obviously not informed by the current black student experience within the NCSD. In fact, when comparing performance and achievement data provided by the Mississippi Department of Education, all children are performing at a significantly higher level within the NCSD, including black children. In my opinion, children are currently being ostracized from equal educational opportunity to ensure positions of power and racial majorities are maintained within the PPSD. 

These meetings were dominated by the C.I.A. and PPSD school board who stood in solidarity against discussing educational models differing from the current structure. I commend these individuals for exercising their God-given, American right to express themselves. However, the lack of diverse opinions resulted in these public discussions being futile in nature. 

Although objective data was presented regarding declining enrollment and continual underperformance, the C.I.A. nor the PPSD school board would consider the potential educational improvement consolidation could provide. The president of the PPSD school board stated multiple times that the Philadelphia school board would vote against consolidation if asked to do so. 

Very few people affiliated with the Neshoba County School District were in attendance at either meeting. I will not assume affiliation of individuals in attendance who chose not to speak. Members of the Neshoba County School District school board were not in attendance at either meeting. Therefore, I cannot speak to their opinion regarding any form of alteration to the current educational structure. 

According to Mississippi statute, voluntary consolidation can only occur if both Philadelphia and Neshoba County school boards agree to do so. Considering the PPSD board president’s admission that the PPSD school board would vote against consolidation, I see no purpose in continuing this discussion.

I have exhausted all power I have as a non-officeholding citizen. The ultimate power required to improve education for future generations lies in the hands of our local school board members and state legislators. After much research and consideration, I do not foresee the people currently holding these positions taking action on this issue. If you have concerns related to the future of education in our community, I recommend contacting your school board members, representative(s) and/or voting differently. 

Best intentions, 

Lee C. Smith