As we approach the beginning of the 2013 Legislative Session, one of this year’s important issues will certainly be Charter Schools. I am in favor of excellence in our schools for Mississippi’s children and families and think it is important to offer this choice to encourage the best possible educational outcomes. I am fortunate to have attended Sumrall Schools growing up in Lamar County and they were excellent when I attended and are still top-rated today. Speaking with a friend of mine, Ben James, whose father taught and coached at Sumrall High School some forty-five years ago, they were excellent that far back as well. The key, he said, to the excellent system in my hometown was two-fold: superior teachers in the classroom and parental involvement.
I am convinced that with any strong school you will find those two components: teachers who love to teach children and do it with all their hearts and parents who care enough about their children’s education to get involved to assure excellence in both their academic pursuits and extracurricular activities. In most successful communities you will see strong schools and strong Churches. This formula leads to good economic development in the area as well.
As I was talking with friends about the concept of charter schools, it was brought to my attention that right here in the Pine Belt – back in the 1990’s – a charter-type school was started under the direction of Dewey Blackledge in Jones County. It focused on “at-risk” children who were at least two grade-levels behind. The mission of the school which is named the “Pine Belt Education Center” was to take these at-risk children in grades 7-12 from the participating school districts (8 of them total from the Pine Belt area) and work to get them back up to grade-level and then return them to their schools or to offer them a GED.
The Pine Belt Education Center took roughly the bottom performing five percent from each of the participating school districts and the money followed these children from the home districts to the new school. As this was also a public school, there was no money that flowed out of the public school system; it was simply passed from the home district to the Pine Belt Education Center (also a public school).
The Pine Belt Education Center partnered with the participating districts, running their payroll through the districts and its board was composed of one current board member from each of the eight participating school districts which insured communication and cooperation among the different districts.
Dr. Blackledge told me that with the lump-sum money from the districts for the participating students plus the grant writing he was able to do for the at-risk student population the school served, he was able to make the money go further while still operating under the authority of the State Department of Education. Disciplinary problems were handled with “in school suspension” and required parental participation. He recalls one problematic student whose father was required to attend classes with him for a time until his behavior got under control. Dr. Blackledge recalls how quickly the child’s behavior improved when his father had to take off from his job to stay in class with the young man for a few days.
The school operated from 1992-1998 as a separate charter-type school and then was absorbed into the Jones County School District where it still operates today for the children of Jones County. While it is no longer a charter school, but an alternative school operating within the Jones County School District, I believe that its success shows us one way that the concept of charter schools can and has worked successfully right here in the Pine Belt.
The school ultimately opened its doors to adult education as well for those at-risk students who did in fact drop out of school and needed to return to school for purposes of literacy training and for procuring a GED. My friend, Mary Jo Blackledge has worked many years in this program and I’ve heard so many of the success stories that this school has produced. I recently had the opportunity to participate in some fund-raising for the program and know that it will continue to be successful in our area.
I believe this model is one of many that we can consider as we approach the topic of charter schools in the coming legislative session. In my Senate District, I represent schools that range from top-performing to those which have some challenges. Every child deserves a quality education. I do believe that the bottom line to success in our schools is a great teacher in the classroom and active participation from the parents. If we can figure out how best to encourage these two factors in our schools, I’m convinced that they will be successful.
**** State Senator Joey Fillingane
Magnolia Tribune
