JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s governor says he’s going to wait another month before he decides whether to approve a state takeover of the Jackson school district.
Phil Bryant told Supertalk Mississippi on Thursday that he’ll wait until the state Department of Education releases final school ratings for the 2015-2016 year. That’s scheduled Oct. 19.
State officials last week said preliminary data shows Jackson will be rated F for a second straight year.
The state Board of Education last week asked Bryant to declare a state of emergency in the 27,000-student district, citing state rule violations, including concerns about effective teaching, student safety, and students graduating without records showing necessary credits.
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Bryant has since met with Democratic lawmakers, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and interim Superintendent Freddrick Murray, all of whom oppose a takeover.