State Rep. Omeria Scott, D-District 80, briefed local city and school officials about an education bill she plans to introduce next week to the Mississippi Legislature during a Laurel City Council’s education committee meeting Friday at Laurel City Hall.
Scott said the bill, which will be focusing on charter schools, will call for a pilot charter school concept for the entire Laurel School District.
Scott outlined the bill to members of the Laurel City Council’s education committee — including Councilman Tony Thaxton, committee chairman; Councilman George Carmichael, president of the City Council; Councilman Manuel Jones and Councilman Johnny McGee. Also attending the meeting were Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack and Assistant School Superintendent Dr. Maggie Griffin, who is in charge of curriculum for the Laurel School District.
Scott said she began working on the bill because of President-elect Barack Obama’s support of charter schools in hopes that federal and state financial-support will be available for local residents.
“I wanted to see Laurel get out in front,” Scott said. “I’m introducing this bill because this might be an opportunity for us to do this project and change some things.”
Scott said the bill would call for additional teachers to reduce the teacher-student ratio and equipment for the transition.
Griffin said the idea sounded wonderful and would be beneficial to the students. However, she did express some concern with the possibility of another mandate being passed on to the schools without funding.
Scott said the bill, if approved, would require the state to put up the funding.
“We are having charter schools discussions in the state of Mississippi,” the state representative said. “They say they support charter schools. Then, they would have to put their money where their mouths are.”
Scott said the bill is being introduced as an option to local officials.
“It does not mandate the school district to do this,” she said. “It just gives them the option.”
Many of the officials attending the meeting commended Scott for her initiative and work on getting this bill developed.
“We have an opportunity that we would not normally have,” Thaxton said. “We are at an excellent time to make a difference. ... This could forge a bond between the school district and the community, and I think that would be great.”
Carmichael agreed.
“I’m excited about this,” he said. “I especially like the idea of bringing resource people in to teach the students skills during the summer.”
Mack commended Scott for her work.
“I think we are on the right track,” Mack said. “I just appreciate the work of Representative Scott and the efforts she is making.”
Scott said the state bill, which will be presented on next week, is designed to bring the community and school district together to develop the charter school concept.
“The community and (school) district would be the one that develop the mission of the charter,” Scott said. “In this, no one will be left behind.”
She said the bill is designed to raise standards while providing the school district the resources it needs.
“It’s a global education and economic society that our students are competing with,” Scott said. “We’ve got to raise the level of expectation. ... Everyone is talking about change. This bill would allow for a real change.”
Scott said the bill is being introduced as a pilot program that will be in place and funded for at least five years.
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Photo/Eloria Newell James
Scott seeks pilot charter school in Laurel
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