Vicksburg Warren School District officials had the opportunity Monday to educate another state official on its programs, hosting Rep. Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach,  chairman of the House Education Committee.

Bennett came to the district at the invitation of Dist. 54 Rep. Kevin Ford.

“We’d been trying for a while to get the timing right so he could come here and see what we’re doing,” Ford said.

Bennett toured Bovina Elementary School, the Academy of Innovation, Career and Technical Education program at the Hinds Community College Vicksburg Campus, and River City Early College.

“I had been hearing about all the innovative things that were going on here, and I wanted to see them for myself,” Bennett said. “I was very impressed with the academy and the  (River City) early college, where students are able to earn college credits while attending high school.”

What most impressed him, however, was the working relationship between the school district and Hinds.

“I was amazed at the cooperative spirit between the junior college and school officials,” he said. “That is something I’ve never seen. Usually all we hear about is how the colleges and school districts can’t get along and about the problems between them.

“It was good to see the college and the school district working together to provide opportunities. The school officials are thinking outside the box, and that’s what I liked. We need to see more of that across the state.”

Looking at other issues, Bennett said Mississippi State University is evaluating the state’s testing program. The Legislature is considering reducing the number of required standardized tests state school students have to take.

“To evaluate the programs, we needed to find a neutral party, so Mississippi State is doing the evaluation,” he said, adding the results of MSU’s study won’t be ready until probably the end of the session.

“I want to make sure the final report is done properly and is accurate,” he said. “I don’t want them to rush.”