The Mississippi State Board of Education has taken over the Wilkinson County School District, citing years of poor academic performance and financial problems that officials say have left students without a stable learning environment.
The board voted Thursday to designate Wilkinson County as a District of Transformation, placing it under direct state supervision through the Mississippi Department of Education. The decision follows new authority granted in 2024 that allows the board to intervene in districts with serious academic or financial deficiencies without a governor’s emergency declaration.
Wilkinson County has earned an F-rating for two consecutive years, the only district in Mississippi with that record. Half of its schools also hold F-ratings. State officials say the district has not completed a financial audit since 2022 and has been on probationary accreditation status for eight of the past 11 years. Test security violations in 2023 prevented the high school from receiving an accountability grade.
“Districts in crisis typically show multiple areas of distress,” State Superintendent Lance Evans said. “The law allows the state to intervene when a local school district cannot provide students with an adequate and stable educational environment.”
Lee Coats, who previously served as assistant superintendent in Holmes County, has been appointed interim superintendent. Wilkinson County joins five other districts currently under state control, including Noxubee County, Holmes County, Humphreys County, Yazoo City and Okolona.
The District of Transformation model gives the state oversight of academics, operations and finances with the goal of stabilizing struggling districts and improving student outcomes.