By John Howell
Advocates seeking appropriate display of the Mississippi state flag’s on the buildings and grounds of South Panola schools met with school trustees Tuesday night but found no concession to their request.
District Superintendent Tim Wilder read a prepared statement prior to hearing from the group.
“As a district, we are united in the goal of improving student academic achievement through all schools in the South Panola School District,” Wilder said. “In my opinion, flying the sate flag would not serve to unite the district in our mission to improve student achievement.”
Joyce Redwine spoke for the group, citing a section of law that supporters believe requires the flag to be flown over public buildings.
“Schools should not be violating the state law,” Redwine said. “This sends the wrong message to our children.”
“They need to be taught to be proud to be from Mississippi,” she continued, asking also that students be instructed about the flag’s history, “so they will know that it’s our state flag and not the Confederate flag.” She said that the state flag is flown at Pope School.
Redwine and other state flag advocates had held a demonstration in front of SP District offices on November 20, citing similar concerns. The group represented Mississippi On Guard and Save the Flag, both of which are collecting signatures on a petition that calls for referendum on an amendment to establish the state flag in the Mississippi Constitution.
 Prior to Tuesday’s 6 p.m. meeting, several state flag supporters had stood on College Street outside the South Panola Parenting Center where school board members meet.
“There are also consequences if the flag is not put up,” Redwine said, near the conclusion of her remarks. “We are ready to hold y’all liable.”
SP board president Sandra Darby expressed the board’s appreciation for the flag supporters’ attendance and said that trustees would take her information under consideration.
There was no additional discussion of the flag issue following the group’s departure.