Mississippi News
Governor announces programs to help military families, expand installations
Governor announces programs to help military families, expand installations
Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday announced two executive orders aimed at helping children of military families, and helping protect and expand the state's military installations and supporting industries.
“As long as I am governor, Mississippi will do everything in our power to support our military members and their families,” Reeves said at a press conference, flanked by state military leaders.
One order Reeves signed creates the Military Star Schools Program, to help military family school children who have to frequently change schools when their parents receive new postings and who deal with other issues such as parents being away for deployments. Reeves said there are about 7,300 school-aged children of active duty military families in Mississippi.
Col. Cynthia Smith, commander of the 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian, said that statistics show children in military families switch school six to nine times K-12. She said her family knows firsthand how difficult that can be for children and spouses of military members.
The new program, administered by the state Department of Education, would require schools to apply for the Military Star designation. The schools would have to designate a staff member as an ambassador to military families and maintain a web page on the school's website with resources for military families. They would have to have peer-to-peer programs to help students coming in to the school and would have to offer training for staff on issues military children and their families face.
State Superintendent Carey Wright said many Mississippi schools already provide support to military families and she expects “our schools and districts will jump at the chance to join this program.”
Reeves also signed an order creating the Mississippi Defense Communities Development Council — overhauling a council that has worked for years to prevent military base closures in Mississippi during federal cutbacks and realignments.
Reeves appointed Tom Williams, president of the Meridian Airport Authority, to chair the new council. Williams said the new organization aims to be “proactive, rather than reactive” in expanding, improving and protecting the state's military installations, which Williams said account for 6.5% of the state's economy.
The MDCDC will be overseen by the Governor's Office of Military Affairs in the Mississippi Development Authority, and each of the state's 12 active duty, Guard or shipbuilding installations will be represented.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Entertainment District looks to draw people in
SUMMARY: Customers in Starkville can now get a branded cup for their open container of alcohol in the Entertainment District. Restaurants and hotels in this area received branded “Go Cups” as part of an ordinance passed in 2020 that allows patrons to leave licensed premises with alcohol. The cups feature Starkville's logo and a QR code linking to information about the district. These cups aim to draw more people into the Entertainment District and showcase what it has to offer. Businesses in the area already provide drinks to-go, and the branded cups help promote the district to tourists and locals.
The post Entertainment District looks to draw people in appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
8 schools in our area receive ‘Military Star Schools’ recognition
SUMMARY: Eight schools in the area have been recognized by the Mississippi Department of Education as “Military Star Schools” for their support of military families and children of service members. These schools include West Lowndes Elementary and High Schools, New Hope Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, Aberdeen Elementary School, Annunciation Catholic School, and Columbus Christian Academy. Schools with this designation must have a dedicated school liaison for military families and provide professional development for staff to meet the needs of military students and families. The designation lasts for two years and was established by Governor Tate Reeves in February 2022.
The post 8 schools in our area receive ‘Military Star Schools' recognition appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Mississippi lawmakers go back and forth on education funding
SUMMARY: Mississippi lawmakers are debating public education funding before the end of the 2024 Legislative Session. The House is pushing for the INSPIRE Act, which aims to provide more funding to underfunded schools and special needs students. Opponents are urging caution in overhauling the current funding system, calling for input from experts to understand potential consequences. The Senate's plan involves making minor adjustments to the current MAEP formula. The final decision on education funding will impact the future of education in Mississippi and its impact on students.
The post Mississippi lawmakers go back and forth on education funding appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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