Resident pastor and families urge board to reconsider Baxterville school move; board cites policy and enrollment

A pastor who identified himself as Roger Miller of King Baptist Church and multiple community members urged the Lamar County School District Board of Education to reconsider a decision to move students out of Baxterville, saying the relocation would harm extracurricular programs and community ties.

Miller, who said he has ministered in the area for about 27 years, told the board that church-run vans and youth programs rely on the school’s location to reach children. “Don’t take that away from us,” Miller said, later adding, “That’s my goal… for Christ,” as he described the church’s role providing transportation and mentoring to local children.

The appeal came during the meeting’s public-comment period and focused on recent board action to reassign or move students under a district policy tied to falling enrollment. Miller said he had gathered about 500 petition signatures from community members asking the board to reconsider and said the move would reduce opportunities for children to participate in sports and other activities.

Board members responded that the district’s established policy governs moves triggered by low enrollment. One board member noted the policy was created by previous and current administrations and said the board is responsible for serving the educational needs of more than 10,000 students across three counties and 17 schools. “We’ve made this issue already,” the board member said, adding that the board had heard both concerns and potential benefits of moving students, such as access to additional courses and staff.

Board members said they would record the concerns raised at the meeting and that Dr. Ingram was taking notes on the testimony. The board also pointed to a policy provision allowing students to choose an alternate school when numbers fall below a threshold; the board said that option remained available to affected families.

Speakers pressed the board for clearer representation and more local involvement in the decision. The board acknowledged those concerns, said it values community input, and invited local religious and community leaders to work with the district’s schools in Baxterville and Lumberton.

The board did not announce any immediate reversal or formal roll-back of the relocation during the meeting. Board members said the district would retain the policy framework that triggered the decision and would consider the written concerns filed by residents when next steps are discussed.