JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Jackson Public Schools have announced a rezoning plan for next year that will close one school and give another a new mission.
Bradley Elementary in north Jackson will close. Bradley has 200 students in grades 3-5 and they will be transferred to Dawson, Johnson and Hopkins Elementary Schools.
The changes came as a surprise to parents picking up children Monday. Mary Davis picking up her grandchildren says, "I don't like it. I don't think it's worth it because they have the best teachers here and the principal is really good with all the students."
Bailey Magnet High school will become the APAC middle school, with it's high school students going to Callaway, Murrah and Lanier.
"I though it was real inappropriate," said Junior Xavier Heath. "I think if we would have known earlier in December I think it would have been easier to transition to."
District officials will be meeting with the Bailey High Junior Class to explore ways to keep the students connected, possibly by having a prom, a homecoming celebration, a yearbook as well as some type of graduation ceremony.
The APAC students going to Bailey will come from Chastain, Peeples and Powell Middle Schools.
In other changes, the IB Middle School Program, currently at Siwell and Northwest Middle Schools, will be housed solely at Northwest.
The Montessori Program, currently at McWillie and Van Winkle elementary Schools, will be consolidated at McWillie.
Dr. Willie Johnson was the architect of the plan. Johnson says, "We need to have programs housed in one building rather than dispersed throughout the district. I believe for the children, the education produced is going to be a better process, better for the children."
Eric Stringfellow, the consultant who worked with the district on drawing up the plan says the changes are to meet Jackson's shifting population.
Stringfellow adds this is the first JPS rezoning in almost 30 years.
The changes will take place at the beginning of the fall term.
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