VIDEO: Parents Voice Their Opinions About Administrative Offices Consolidating

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)-Two days ago, the Okolona School District found out they’re now included in the consolidation plans for the Chickasaw County School District.

Until then, only Houston and the Chickasaw County School Districts were included in a bill to merge administrative offices.

It’s no secret that the schools in Chickasaw County have been at odds with one another for years now and the reactions from this consolidation bill proves just that.

“We divided into three and it shouldn’t be like that,” said Clarice Parker, who has children in the Okolona School District.

Parker said she’s in favor of lawmakers’ recent decision to include the school district back into the consolidation plans.

This means Houlka, Houston and Okolona would merge administrative offices.

“I thought it really was a good idea because of the simple fact that we don’t need three, and only boils down to one,” she said.

But while she’s happy with the decision, other parents are not.

“I don’t like it,” said Robin Ledger, who’s against the consolidation.

Ledger has a child in the Houston School District and believes if the district consolidates the administrative offices, it could have a negative impact on the students.

“They are not going to learn as fast as they are now,” she said.

Despite not wanting to see a consolidation happen, Ledger also has another reason why she doesn’t think this move would be a good idea.

“Because Houston and Okolona don’t like each other,” said Ledger.

However, Parker doesn’t think that should stand in the way. She believes there could be an increase in the student’s performance by combining the administrative offices.

“We got these kids to learn and we need to teach them that it’s not the animosity between Houston, Houlka, Okolona,” Parker explained. “It ain’t the animosity is about coming together and learning together as one.”

 
Whether or not lawmakers chose to approve this bill remains to be seen, but for now, these two mothers already have their minds set on what decision they’re hoping lawmakers choose.

“Just leave it like it is,” said Ledger.

“You need to teach these kids if you’re going to set an example for each other, you need to set and example and let the kids come together that’s my main point,” said Parker.

If this consolidation bill passes it’ll take effect in 2020.

Okolona superintendent Dexter Green tells WCBI he wants no part of this consolidation.

He tells us the Okolona school district has asked the Department of Justice to block the consolidation based on a desegregation order.