Eric StringfellowJACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Big changes are on the way for Jackson Public Schools. Eric Stringfellow is the consultant who is working with the district to communicate with the public about rezoning changes.
Stringfellow talked with WLBT News Friday evening about reports that Bailey Magnet High School will be closing.
"Bailey Magnet school will not close," he said. "There are several schools where the mission is going to change, where the focus is going to change, but Bailey is not closing."
"When you look at the fact that we have not rezoned JPS since the early '80s," he continued, "that means we have not kept up with the population shifts. That means that at some high schools you've got 1500 students and in another nearby high school you've got 500."
Stringfellow also says with all the special programs in the district students are bused all over the city. Under the changes, students with APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex) and the IB (International Baccalaureate) program will be in one place.
Stringfellow says a news conference is scheduled for Monday to announce the changes. Meetings are also scheduled over the next two weeks for parents.
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