The Mississippi State Board of Education voted unanimously to recommend relocating the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science to Mississippi State University during its March 20 meeting. The move would occur starting with the 2026-27 school year if the Legislature approves the action.
“Mississippi State University is pleased that the State Board of Education saw the obvious merit in the proposal they requested from us,” MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter told the Mississippi Free Press after the vote on March 20. “If authorized by the Mississippi Legislature, we look forward to providing an exceptional experience for students chosen to attend MSMS.”
During its December 2024 meeting, the Mississippi Department of Education created the MSMS subcommittee to explore options for the school’s future. The committee invited both MUW and MSU to submit proposals to expand MSMS—a move that MUW officials said was unexpected. The committee also invited public comment until March 4.
The MSMS Subcommittee recommended the move during its meeting on March 19. MDE Board member Dr. Ronnie McGehee said the committee rated the proposals out of 400 points. Mississippi State University earned 363 points, and Mississippi University for Women earned 304 points.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 99px;}}@media ( min-width: 320px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 99px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}
“After evaluating proposals from both universities and reviewing written feedback from stakeholders, the SBE determined that MSU offers advantages for the future growth of MSMS, while acknowledging the foundation established through its history on the campus of MUW,” an MDE press release said on March 20.
Members of the board pondered how a transition would happen.
“MUW has been our site since 1987, and with this, you don’t move it overnight, in my opinion,” McGehee, who chaired the MSMS subcommittee, told the board.
“I do think that moving forward, we need to discuss the processes and procedures about what would be best for our young people,” he added.
Most of those questions cannot be answered. The Mississippi Department of Education can only make recommendations to the Legislature.
“Our world’s changing from a digital standpoint—not necessarily direct instruction, but
Read original article by clicking here.