Dear JDCSD Families and Community Members,
Recently, much of the public attention has focused on our proposed athletic improvements at the middle school campus and the John Thompson Building—currently home to our softball and baseball fields and the future site of a long-awaited track and field facility.
While this is certainly an exciting and important development for our district, it represents just one piece of a much larger, comprehensive vision.
The Bigger Picture: A 5-Year Commitment to Excellence
Our 5-Year Strategic Plan (2022-2027) has always been grounded in one core principle: student success through a well-rounded, high-quality educational experience.
Over the past five years, we have remained intentional in our efforts—and the results speak for themselves. We have not only focused on key areas, but we have demonstrated measurable growth and exceeded expectations across multiple fronts.
Key Focus Areas of JDCSD’s 2022-2027- 5 Year Strategic Plan
Academics (General & Exceptional Education)
Finances (No budget cuts)
Food & Nutrition
Safety
Parent & Community Engagement
Facilities
Technology
Athletics
Growth has occurred across each of these pillars, reinforcing our commitment to developing the whole child while strengthening our district as a whole.
Key Achievements (2022–2027 Strategic Plan)
Achieved a historic milestone as a “B” rated district for the first time in MDE accountability history (2024–2025)
G.W. Carver Elementary School earned and maintained an “A” rating
Jefferson Davis County High School maintained a “B” rating
Continued operation of a strong, robust Pre-K program
Expanded partnership with Save the Children to support students and families
Added critical support staff, including a dyslexia therapist, speech therapist, and SEL behavior therapist
Introduced new academic pathways in Agriculture Education, Driver’s Education, Engineering, and Robotics
Increased ACT scores and graduation rates
Expanded Dual Enrollment
Increased middle college participants
Completed renovations across all campuses, including:
Updated entrances, canopies, doors, and windows
New flooring and ceiling tiles
Asphalt driveways and gated campuses
Additional security cameras
Established the Jefferson Davis County Middle School campus (2022–2023)
Student Support, Innovation, and Opportunity
Through grants and strategic funding, JDCSD has expanded opportunities for students in meaningful ways:
Implementation of STEM and Robotics programs, including access to 3D printers
Continued 1:1 technology initiative, providing devices at no cost to families
Increased access to academic competitions and enrichment opportunities
Strengthened family engagement through Parent Academies
Strategic Investments & Grants
JDCSD continues to secure and utilize funding to support growth and innovation:
2024 Pre-K Grant: Approximately $800,000
2025 Pre-K Renewal Funding (statewide expansion initiative)
Delta Regional Authority STEM Grant: $300,000
RUS Technology Grant: $642,000
Ongoing federal funding: Title I, II, IV, and V programs
State Invested Pre-K (SIP) Grants
Safety, Operations, and Infrastructure
Student safety remains a top priority:
Chief of Schools Police and certified officers on every campus
Addition of a district safety vehicle
Implementation of a Bullying Reporting App
Reopening of the Bus Barn and addition of eight new buses
Continued strong financial practices with no budget cuts
Communication & Community Engagement
We have made significant strides in communication:
Addition of a Public Relations Coordinator
2025–2026 SchoolStatus communication totals (as of April 21, 2026):
634,237 text messages
7,359 emails
3,656 phone calls
363 Notify messages
Over 624,000 Facebook views in the past 90 days
A “Hidden Gem” with a Strong Identity
The Jefferson Davis County School District is truly a hidden gem—an academic force with a clear focus:
Learning first. Student success always.
Athletics: The Next Phase of the Plan
As we approach the final phase of our 2022 through 2027- 5-Year Strategic Plan, we are now positioned to address long-standing athletic needs—particularly at the middle school level.
These proposed improvements—including a state-of-the-art track and field facility—have been discussed for years and are well-deserved by our students, coaches, and community. We are currently in the preliminary phase, working alongside architects and actively engaging stakeholders throughout the process.
Community Impact & Excitement
The response from our community has been overwhelmingly positive. Middle school families, in particular, are excited about the expanded access and opportunities these improvements will bring.
This initiative is about more than athletics—it is about equity, pride, and opportunity for every scholar in our district.
Closing Message
The proposed athletic improvements are not the beginning of progress—they are the result of years of intentional planning, hard work, and success.
Our district has built a strong academic and operational foundation. Now, we are expanding opportunities in ways that reflect the excellence our students deserve.
Together, we will continue building a stronger Jefferson Davis County School District—where excellence is expected and achieved.
Sincerely,
Isaac “Ike” Haynes
Superintendent of Schools