PRESS RELEASE FROM COAHOMA EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF COAHOMA EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AND TERMINATION OF DUAL-TRACK PROGRAM

 

 

From the office of:

Dr. Valmadge T. Towner Superintendent

Coahoma Early College High School

3240 Friars Point Road

Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614

 

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It is with a heavy heart that I perform my duty, as the Superintendent of Coahoma Early College High School (CECHS), to notify the students, parents, faculty members, administrators, and other stakeholders associated with CECHS of that school’s immediate closure.

In April of this year, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) alerted the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of CECHS that MDE would no longer provide funding directly to CECHS to continue its ongoing operations. Additionally, MDE informed CECHS that it would cease to exist, on and after July 1, 2021, unless the school entered into funding agreements with the local school districts whose students were eligible to enroll in CECHS. The Quitman and Tunica County school districts subsequently entered into such funding agreements with CECHS; the Coahoma County and Clarksdale Municipal school districts declined to do so.

In an effort to remain viable for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year (and beyond), CECHS’s Board of Trustees filed a lawsuit, on June 14, 2021, to prevent CECHS from being closed. On July 16, 2021 the court in which CECHS’s lawsuit was filed (i.e., the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi) held a full-day hearing to consider the merits of CECHS’s lawsuit.

Representatives from MDE and the school districts testified at the hearing, and although CECHS disagreed with their positions, it was clear that their decision-making processes were honorable, that their opinions were sincerely-held, and that their top priority was to take actions which were in the best interests of the students.

Students, parents, administrators, and members of CECHS’s Board of Trustees also appeared at the hearing to show their support for CECHS, to share their passion and enthusiasm for the school, and to convey their personal perspectives with regard to the unique character and special value of CECHS’s innovative dual-track program (which provided students with the opportunity to be awarded a high school diploma and a two- year associate degree, at the same time, upon the completion of the CECHS curriculum). The judge allowed the witnesses who testified upon CECHS’s behalf of CECHS to take as much time as they needed to apprise the court of the issues and concerns that were on their minds.

Ultimately the court determined that it did not have the authority to order MDE to continue to provide funds directly to CECHS to sustain its operations, and that it did not have the authority to compel the Coahoma County and Clarksdale Municipal school districts to enter into funding agreements with CECHS. Accordingly, on July 22, 2021 the court dismissed CECHS’s lawsuit.

Students enrolled in the CECHS program for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year are encouraged to speak with parents, local educators, and local school administrators so that they can identify and pursue other high school enrollment opportunities.

Finally, I wish to express my personal gratitude to Principal Cloretha Jamison and to CECHS’s faculty, administration, and support staff for their hard work, persistence, and outstanding commitment to CECHS’s success. They have been a blessing to CECHS’s students, and their positive spirit and inspiration will continue to shine a bright guiding light upon the paths of CECHS’s students for many years to come.

 

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Judge's Order of Lawsuit Dismissal