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State Senators passed House Bill 669, which would allow the Tate County School District to close Coldwater High, sending 94 students to one of two other high schools. Education Chair, Republican Senator Dennis DeBar of Leakesville, says the school was rated F for four years and is now a D. He says it’s under a federal desegregation order.
“This is a case that’s been going on since the early 70’s. It sat dormant for almost 30 years. This had tried to be done before but I think in 2010 the court said ‘on hold off for a little while’”, said DeBar.
DeBar says teachers, students and some school board members support the consolidation. He says the predominantly black school is poorly funded and teacher attrition is high with low pay. Democratic Senator Robert Jackson of Marks, took issue with that argument.
“Isn’t the pay based on the teacher’s certification?” said Jackson.
“Teacher pay is based on what we set it and plus the local supplement,” said DeBar
“So if a teacher works at that school or any other school in the district shouldn’t they get the same pay shouldn’t they?” said Jackson.
“In that same school district, potentially, yes,” said DeBar.
Jackson says he’s had calls from school board members and the Mayor who don’t want the school closed. DeBar says the racial make-up of the other two schools is about 50 percent black and 50 percent white and the schools are within 10 miles of Coldwater High.
Republican Senator Neil Whaley of Potts Camp represents Tate County.
“These students haven’t had any kind of athletic opportunity for the past seven years. You’re talking about seven years you’ve had a group of students who have had no chance for any type of extracurricular activities,” said Whaley.
If the governor signs the bill, the plan will have to be approved by a federal judge.
