For parents looking to ask questions or learn more about the Vicksburg Warren School District, Thursday night Board of Trustee member Alonzo Stevens was all ears.

Stephens hosted his first monthly town hall of the year Thursday evening at the Warren County-Vicksburg Library to give parents and community members the chance to ask questions and learn more about the district.

“We try to bring across the board for anybody that has a question. If the person you want is not here I will get it for you. We do it once a month,” Stevens said. “I am trying to have it and open it up because Mr. (Chad) Shealy is very open. I want you to come ask. I want you to see what we are doing. You have a lot of negative people who still say ‘I don’t know.’ Just come. It is one hour. We move around to give everybody an opportunity.”

Stevens has hosted the town halls once a month since being elected to the board six years ago. The town halls are held at a different location each month and bring various guest speakers to talk about the district.

“I have seen a lot more knowledge, people understanding what is going on,” Stevens said. “People were afraid to go. That was part of my campaign. I want to hear what you’ve got to say. Not listen to what I’ve got to say. We work for you.”

Thursday night’s guest speaker was Curtis Ross, the special projects coordinator for VWSD.

“Because they are stakeholders it is very essential we see what the elephants in the room are and as a result of that we can clarify misunderstandings, which obviously there have been some about what our offerings are. Or steer them in the right direction,” Ross said.

His talk Thursday evening focused on the career technical and dual enrollment course offers at the Hinds Community College-Vicksburg campus.

“Dual enrollment is the process by which students in high school are able to get high school credit for the classes they are taking in high school, but they are also able to get a college credit,” Ross said. “Being a district of innovation, it has opened the door for us to partner with and wave certain requirements within Hinds.”

He also took questions about the program and invited parents with additional questions to come to his office to get answers to their specific questions or go over their children’s academic choices.

Stephens will host his next town hall Feb. 15 at Jackson Street Community Center. The March town hall will be held at Kings Community Center.