The Mississippi Board of Education meeting on April 18, 2024, highlighted significant achievements in community engagement within the state's school districts. The board recognized the Simpson County School District for earning the 2024 Community Engagement Council of Promise Award. This award honors districts that excel in stakeholder engagement and school improvement efforts through community-led councils.

The Community Engagement Council, previously known as the P-16 Council, is a collaborative group comprising parents, educators, students, and community members. It aims to support schools by fostering inclusivity and setting data-driven goals for improvement. The award process involves evaluations by independent panels, which assess applications, conduct interviews, and perform site visits.

Simpson County School District was selected for this recognition due to its effective community engagement council, which successfully unified two separate councils into one. This initiative ensured that all community concerns were addressed during the transition process, demonstrating a commitment to representation and active participation.

The Mississippi Department of Education, in collaboration with the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, will present the district's community engagement council with a banner and plaque later this spring. This recognition underscores the district's efforts to create a cooperative and welcoming learning environment for all students.

During the meeting, Dr. Lawrence acknowledged the contributions of key individuals involved in the council, including Misty Hammond, the federal programs director, and Stacy Chapin, a parent and driving force behind the council's initiatives. Their leadership and dedication were highlighted as essential to the council's success in engaging the community.