Board renews districts and schools of innovation and approves contracts, $16.9M in math coaching grants

The Mississippi State Board of Education on March 19 approved multiple district and school innovation designations, several vendor contracts, and a $16.9 million educator-in-residence grants package to support mathematics coaching.

Office of Academic Education staff summarized three new districts of innovation (Newton County, Union, and Western Line) that plan to adopt five-by-five schedules, implement targeted intervention/enrichment models, and expand middle- and early-college options. Renewals include several districts and schools (Boomville, Cambridge-related program renewal, Gulfport, Jackson Public), and two amendments (Hinds County early college expansion to Utica campus; correction of classification from school to district of innovation where applicable). The board approved the renewals and amendments.

On contracts, MDE presented a five-year, $2.7 million agreement with Renaissance Learning for K-readiness assessment support; a five-year, $240,000 agreement with The Focus Group for media strategy supporting child nutrition outreach; an emergency contract with CaviOn for assessment security ($400,000); and a scope expansion with the North Mississippi Education Consortium at no additional cost. The items were approved.

The board also approved an educator-in-residence mathematics coaching initiative totaling about $16,900,000 over five years to fund 35 coaching positions across 21 eligible EIR districts, contingent on performance and fund availability.

Board members asked clarifying questions about implementation details, apprenticeship elements in some district plans, and whether renewals were two-year renewals for certain programs. Staff said some renewals and amendments correct prior oversight entries and will be reflected in the public board materials.