Jefferson Davis Co to consolidate high schools
PRENTISS, Miss. (AP) – Falling enrollment and budget cuts are prompting Jefferson Davis County School District to consolidate its high schools and move an elementary school to a current high-school campus.
The Hattiesburg American reports that, starting next August, all ninth through 12th graders will go to Bassfield High. J.E. Johnson Elementary School will move to the current Prentiss High School campus. Seventh- and eighth-grade students have classes at elementary schools.
School Board President Jessie Holloway says state budget cuts made it impossible to keep two high schools. The district got more than $8 million in 2011-12, compared to a bit over $7 million.
Superintendent Will Russell notes that enrollment has fallen from 2,500 in 2006 to less than 1,500 now.
In addition, he says, Johnson Elementary’s current building is aging.
