Parents of students assigned to alternative school in the North Panola School District will not be responsible for transporting the students to the facility in the West Tallahatchie School District.

NP Director of Public Relations and Information Mack Dandridge said this week that alternative school students will be carried by school bus to and from the facility in Sumner.

At a community meeting at the North Panola High School July 16, conservator Bob Strebeck announced that an alternative school would not be operated in the district. He described the alternative school formerly operated there as “ineffective” and announced the arrangement with the West Tallahatchie district.

Dandridge said alternative students will be searched each morning before they board the bus for the one-hour ride to the alternative school. Prohibited items include cigarettes, cell phones, money and expensive jewelry, Dandridge said.

The bus will be driven by a school security officer who will remain at the West Tallahatchie alternative facility in that capacity during the classes and then drive the students back to NPHS. Students will be searched again upon arrival in Sumner and scanned with a metal detecting device before they are allowed in the building, Dandridge said. He described the facility as a “secure building” separate from other school facilities.

West Tallahatchie School District spokesman Howard Hollins said the alternative school is housed in two-story building that was formerly Sumner Elementary School. A breakfast will be provided alternative students at North Panola. Lunch will be brought in from an outside cafeteria and eaten in the classrooms, Dandridge continued.

“At no time whatsoever will a student at the alternative school be alone,” Dandridge said. When the buses return with North Panola alternative students, they will not be allowed to mingle with the rest of the North Panola student body until they board their regular buses to go home, he continued.

Dandridge said that parents of students who get into fights at the alternative school will be required to pick them up at the school.

“They can pick them up at the school or at the police station,” he said.

“Those that choose to do what is wrong, if they get sent to the alternative school, it’s not going to be a pleasure trip,” the public relations and information officer said.

“We’re going to give our students every opportunity to learn, whether it’s at North Panola High School or the alternative school,” Dandridge continued.

The West Tallahatchie School District’s alternative school also serves students from Sunflower, Coahoma, Bolivar and Quitman Counties as well as those within its own district and now from North Panola, Hollins said.

“If anyone desires to come down visit the building, they’re welcome to do so,” Hollins added, “so they won’t think their children have been thrown away.”

The West Tallahatchie administrator said that the alternative school offers all required courses in a strict environment.

“We don’t want them to enjoy being here,” Hollins continued. He said that he hoped students who are sent to the alternative school will return to regular classes and urge other students to “act properly” to avoid the place.

Dandridge said that he can be reached at 662-934-5326 to answer questions about the alternative school or for other information about the North Panola School District.

Parents of students assigned to alternative school in the North Panola School District will not be responsible for transporting the students to the facility in the West Tallahatchie School District.

NP Director of Public Relations and Information Mack Dandridge said this week that alternative school students will be carried by school bus to and from the facility in Sumner.

At a community meeting at the North Panola High School July 16, conservator Bob Strebeck announced that an alternative school would not be operated in the district. He described the alternative school formerly operated there as “ineffective” and announced the arrangement with the West Tallahatchie district.

Dandridge said alternative students will be searched each morning before they board the bus for the one-hour ride to the alternative school. Prohibited items include cigarettes, cell phones, money and expensive jewelry, Dandridge said.

The bus will be driven by a school security officer who will remain at the West Tallahatchie alternative facility in that capacity during the classes and then drive the students back to NPHS. Students will be searched again upon arrival in Sumner and scanned with a metal detecting device before they are allowed in the building, Dandridge said. He described the facility as a “secure building” separate from other school facilities.

West Tallahatchie School District spokesman Howard Hollins said the alternative school is housed in two-story building that was formerly Sumner Elementary School. A breakfast will be provided alternative students at North Panola. Lunch will be brought in from an outside cafeteria and eaten in the classrooms, Dandridge continued.

“At no time whatsoever will a student at the alternative school be alone,” Dandridge said. When the buses return with North Panola alternative students, they will not be allowed to mingle with the rest of the North Panola student body until they board their regular buses to go home, he continued.

Dandridge said that parents of students who get into fights at the alternative school will be required to pick them up at the school.

“They can pick them up at the school or at the police station,” he said.

“Those that choose to do what is wrong, if they get sent to the alternative school, it’s not going to be a pleasure trip,” the public relations and information officer said.

“We’re going to give our students every opportunity to learn, whether it’s at North Panola High School or the alternative school,” Dandridge continued.

The West Tallahatchie School District’s alternative school also serves students from Sunflower, Coahoma, Bolivar and Quitman Counties as well as those within its own district and now from North Panola, Hollins said.

“If anyone desires to come down visit the building, they’re welcome to do so,” Hollins added, “so they won’t think their children have been thrown away.”

The West Tallahatchie administrator said that the alternative school offers all required courses in a strict environment.

“We don’t want them to enjoy being here,” Hollins continued. He said that he hoped students who are sent to the alternative school will return to regular classes and urge other students to “act properly” to avoid the place.

Dandridge said that he can be reached at 662-934-5326 to answer questions about the alternative school or for other information about the North Panola School District.