Community pushes back against Leake County School District’s plan to merge two high schools

WALNUT GROVE, Miss. (WLBT) — The Leake County School District has announced a plan to merge two of its high schools, but some community members are pushing back hard.

On Saturday, parents, family members, and alumni of Leake County High School gathered in Walnut Grove to voice their opposition to the district’s realignment of Leake County High School and Leake Central High School.

Richet Parhm, an alumna of the school, said the decision was made without the community’s full input.

“The meeting today was to address some concerns,” Parhm said. “We feel like the voices of the people haven’t been heard and the concerns of the people in this community has not been addressed.”

Community members said there is no need for the closure. They said they feel that the school is performing well on its own.

“I don’t understand why it is that we’re closing a school over here when really we should be expanding what’s going on over here,” said Gwendolyn Barton-Reid, a community member.

More than 400 people have signed a petition opposing the change. Community members said they want more transparency from district leaders and are concerned about what the merger means for students.

“We feel like this is a disgraceful process, and it would be a disgraceful process if it happened anywhere,” Parhm said. “You have seniors that are planning on playing their senior year, whether academically or in academic programs, or athletically.

“They have planned out and they’re excited about their senior year,” Parhm added. “Now you put a damper on that.”

In a statement, the Leake County School District called the move a “strategic realignment,” saying it will better serve students and strengthen the community.

“These decisions were made thoughtfully and with a focus on long-term sustainability, educational excellence, and opportunity for every child,” Superintendent Will Russell said in a statement.

However, the community members at the meeting Saturday said they will not stop fighting until their voices are heard.

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