Chickasaw Consolidation Delayed For Year

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Chickasaw County officials would get some say over how three local school districts would be merged into a single district, under a bill heading to Gov. Phil Bryant.

House Bill 991 (http://bit.ly/1Vy3ozl ) would set up a study committee that will recommend a plan for consolidating Chickasaw County, Houston and Okolona school districts.

The 10-member group would be chaired by state Superintendent of Education Carey Wright or her appointee and would include local school officials and residents. The group would have a Dec. 1 deadline to report findings to the Legislature.

Republican Rep. Toby Barker of Hattiesburg says it gives local officials a chance to set the details of consolidation.

The House passed the final version of the bill Wednesday, sending it to Bryant to sign or veto.