To the editor:

When I first joined the board seven years ago, I heard many say that the community could not move forward unless the schools improved. Great news — the school district has done just that! Here are a few of the many recent accomplishments that have been achieved through the hard work from our students, teachers, administrators and staff:   

• One of the first District’s in the state to be designated a District of Innovation

• Recognized by the National Dropout Prevention Center for our success in building relevance in the schools

• Our four-year graduation rate is the highest it has been since 2009. 

• Five of our schools have earned a “B” rating

• Began the River City Early College High School where students have the opportunity to earn their Associates degree or two years of transferable college credits at the same time they are earning their high school diploma. 

• Began the Academy of Innovation — STEM Middle School that has grown to have an enrollment of 400 students. 

• Increased Pre-K classes offered from two to 15

• Decreased administrative costs — Out of 147 districts in the state, VWSD is ranked 13th lowest in administrative costs. Only 2.3 % of the entire budget goes to  administrative costs

• Three of our elementary schools have earned Light House status in the Leader In Me initiative.

• The only Leader In Me district-wide implementation in the state.

• Partnered with the community to create the Vicksburg Warren College and Career Academies at both high schools and earned the designation of Ford Next Generation Learning Community

• Chic- Fil- A Leadership Academies

• Implementation of Google Classrooms putting technology in the hands of every child

• Thurgood Marshall College fund — $5.7 million grant for underserved students in STEM

We have and will continue to invest in the good work of this district, but we are asking for the community’s help as our facilities are old and are in dire need of essential repairs and renovations that will allow us to continue to improve. Our existing buildings do not support the needs of today’s learning and it is time to address the needs of our children and provide them with a safer and updated environment in which to learn.

I am a 4th generation Vicksburger and have three children that are products of the Vicksburg Warren School District. My youngest child is a sophomore at Warren Central and will graduate before many of the issues that would be addressed by bond can be completed; but regardless if you are a parent or grandparent that has a student in the schools now, it is important to support this bond issue. It is simply the right thing to do for all of our children and it is the right thing to do for Vicksburg. I want my children to have a thriving place to raise and educate their children and I know that investing in our schools will be the cornerstone of a brighter future for the community.

Someone asked me recently why the district is not telling the public about all of our great achievements. I say we have been screaming it from the rooftops! 

I encourage everyone to come visit our schools and see for themselves the positive progress that is going on in the Vicksburg Warren School District. I encourage everyone to get involved with one of our schools and volunteer your time. I encourage everyone to come and join us on the last Thursday of each month at one of our School Board meetings — we have plenty of open seats.

It is time to leave the past in the past and focus on creating the best future for our students and for Vicksburg.

With all these great things going on in your district it is now time to improve our facilities so our district can continue to move forward. Now is the time to stand up for our children and vote to support the Bond on March 27th.

Bryan Pratt

President, Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees