The innovative ideas and partnerships created within the Vicksburg Warren School District is gaining more recognition outside our community.

Most of us are aware of the strides the school district has been making over the last few years, but now outsiders are finding out and taking notice.

This week, State Rep. Richard Bennett, a Republican from Long Beach who is the chairman of the House Education Committee, took a tour of schools within the district and came away very impressed by what he saw.

“I had been hearing about all the innovative things that were going on here, and I wanted to see them for myself,” Bennett said. “I was very impressed with the academy and the  (River City) early college, where students are able to earn college credits while attending high school.”

What most impressed him, however, was the working relationship between the school district and Hinds.

“I was amazed at the cooperative spirit between the junior college and school officials,” he said. “That is something I’ve never seen. Usually all we hear about is how the colleges and school districts can’t get along and about the problems between them.

“It was good to see the college and the school district working together to provide opportunities. The school officials are thinking outside the box, and that’s what I liked. We need to see more of that across the state.”

Another great partnership the VWSD has is with Ford Next Generation Learning and the Vicksburg Warren Chamber of Commerce. All three organizations were recognized this week for their community-wide partnership by the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education during the annual Governor’s Awards in Hattiesburg.

These partnerships are making a difference in education in our community and in the lives of our children. They should be applauded and appreciated because there are so many other communities who are not benefitting by working together.