The Mississippi Board of Education heard a detailed report Thursday on the financial crisis facing the Okolona Separate School District and the latest Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) scores. Chief Accountability Officer Dr. Paula Vanderford said this year’s testing should be considered a transition year, as the assessment differs from previous years.
In November 2025, the board classified Okolona as a District of Transformation due to ongoing financial difficulties. This was the district’s second intervention by the state, with the first occurring in 2010 because of academic and financial impairments, according to Chief Operating Officer Kym Wiggins.
Recent audits reveal the district faced a $1.25 million deficit, largely driven by increased expenses and mismanagement. Stephanie Palmertree, a CPA with NOVUM, said the district’s fiscal year 2025 revenue coverage was only 86.9%, with expenses per student rising by 83.3% from 2020 to 2025. The district relied heavily on federal COVID-19 relief funds, which were used to cover recurring expenses rather than one-time costs.
Enrollment declined 11.5% over the same period, while spending per student increased beyond both the state and national averages. Palmertree noted that expenditures on travel and consulting services grew sharply, with consulting costs rising 229.6% and travel expenses increasing 241.1% from 2019 to 2025. She emphasized that many of these expenses did not directly benefit instruction.
The district is implementing cost-cutting measures, including staff reductions and spending adjustments. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has allocated $1.5 million of the approved $3 million aid package, which Okolona has agreed to repay in installments beginning in 2027. Board members expressed confidence in Palmertree’s audit process amid concerns over missing invoices and budget adherence.
In other business, the board reviewed recent MAAP scores. Vanderford said scores remained largely stable, but comparisons to previous years are limited due to changes in the assessment, notably the absence of a writing component.
In 2026, 47.5% of students scored proficient or higher in English Language Arts, a slight increase from the previous year. In math, 53.9% reached proficiency, a minor decrease from 54.5% in 2025. Science proficiency was at 64.1%, up from 50% in 2021.
Vanderford also reported Mississippi exceeds the federal cap for students taking the alternate MAAP test with a rate of 1.9%, above the 1% limit. State officials are working to reduce this percentage, though efforts remain uncertain, with some officials questioning the appropriateness of the cap.
Due to the omission of the writing component this year, the department proposed a temporary policy allowing districts to use the higher of two previous years’ proficiency scores for accountability measures. The measure is scheduled to be in effect for one year.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
