The Mississippi Board of Education has authorized a takeover of the Wilkinson County School District because of its severe academic challenges.
State officials also have serious concerns about the district’s financial health. Wilkinson schools’ full financial picture isn’t clear, officials said, because district officials have not submitted a financial audit since the 2023 fiscal year. The district did indicate a $1.7 million deficit in its budget outlook for the 2025-26 school year.
“We don’t have a choice,” state Superintendent Lance Evans said at a state Board of Education meeting Thursday. When a district hits rock bottom, he said, the state has to act.
State Superintendent of Education Lance Evans during a meeting of the state Board of Education, on Dec. 18 in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayThe school district has been rated F under the state’s accountability system for each of the past two years, state officials said. State accountability data shows that both Wilkinson County Elementary and William Winans Middle School are also failing. Wilkinson County High has a D grade.
Wilkinson County schools have the second-lowest graduation rate in the state. They also have the state’s lowest proficiency rate in math and science as well as the second lowest proficiency rates in English and history, state education officials said.
The school district has lost about half of its enrollment since 2019, dropping to around 648 students — a number that prompted board Chairman Matt Miller to question whether Wilkinson County schools should be consolidated into another district.
Consolidation is not yet the top question for state officials. The immediate first step, Evans said, is for state officials to do a full audit of the district’s personnel and finances. The state will abolish Wilkinson County’s school board and remove the superintendent.
The state Board of Education voted on Nov. 14 to take over Okolona schools for financial reasons, marking the district’s second time under state control in 15 years. District officials had notified the agency on Oct. 30 that it could not make its November payroll.
At a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting on Wednesday, Evans said there is limited funding available to help provide technical assistance for additional school districts taken over by the state: $4.8 million. Since taking over Okolona schools, the agency has already spent $1.5 million. Evans asked lawmakers for additional funding for next fiscal year.
“It doesn’t take long to eat through that,” Evans said of the agency’s emergency fund. “One district that’s in serious trouble can completely wipe that out.”
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