The Pearl School District is in a heated battle with the Rankin County School District over re-drawing the attendance lines. The Pearl Superintendent tells us they want their school district lines the same as the city limit lines.
The Pearl School District has filed a lawsuit in federal court to get the lines re-drawn. But, Pearl school administrators have said they hope to compromise outside the legal system.
Pearl’s Superintendent says based on the 2010 census data, this issue affects about one thousand children. This includes students who live in the El Dorado Road and the Patrick Farms-Highlands areas.
"For the long-term viability of Pearl Schools, this is very important to us," comments the Pearl Superintendent.
Raymond Morgigno is fighting to get his school district's attendance lines to reflect the Pearl City limit lines.
"We’re talking about less than one-tenth of one-percent of land of the Rankin County School District," explains Morgigno.
Pearl’s Superintendent says he wants to cut out the confusion. This neighborhood in the Patrick Farms community is split between the two school districts. This house is on the Rankin County side. This one is on the Pearl City side.
"You have two school districts running buses through the neighborhood," adds Morgigno.
Rachel Benton lives within the Pearl City limits, but her three children attend Rankin County schools.
"Not only do they want our tax dollars, they want her children also. I find that very disappointing. It’s very saddening," expresses Benton.
"It is not our goal to uproot children. Ours is more about the future growth," argues Morgigno.
Morgigno says if Rankin County school officials agree to the redistricting plan, he's willing to talk about possibly letting students affected choose where they go to school.
We contacted the Rankin County Schools in hopes of talking with Superintendent Lynn Weathersby about the issue. We were told he was not available today, but he would talk with us tomorrow.
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