Video: Choctaw County Charges Into Another Consolidation Year

[jwplatform oZjbayqS]

Ackerman, Miss. (WCBI) — Choctaw County School District students, staff, and faculty are all set to charge forward into another year after consolidation placed students in Weir, Ackerman, and French Camp under the same academic learning structure.

The second year under the consolidation umbrella, the hallways at Ackerman High and other schools within the district are again filled with students as they move forward with education. Having hit their target goals and coming out with a one million dollar saving last year they appear to be in good shape.

“Where we were able to give our non-certified staff raises for the first time in years. But drivers, cafeteria workers of course you know the teachers got raises from the state. However, the non-certified didn’t. So we stepped up,” said Stewart Glen Beard, Choctaw County School Superintendent.

Superintendent Beard is now willing to pass on information about the consolidation process.

“Have a good team in place and hold the line and do what it takes to make your system better for kids. Because that’s what its all about. Its not about the parents, its about the kids and whats best for them.”

Superintendent Beard does admit there have been kinks along the way in the consolidation process, but like their students, school officials and teachers are learning as well.

“Some overcrowding in the cafeteria, things of that nature, but we’ve solved that this year hopefully with some scheduling,” said Beard.

And so for students of Weir, Ackerman, and French Camp, year two of consolidation means charging forward together for academic excellence and success for all.

“You know we’ve got, our athletic teams are overflowing so we need to build some facilities now. So that’s a good problem to have,” said Beard.

This year Choctaw County Schools is offering for the first time, drivers ed and dual college/high school enrollment courses.