To the editor:

In the March 17 column, Terri Cowart Frazier suggests new ERDC employees choose to live in Clinton or Madison because of the weak Vicksburg/Warren school system and that an $83 million bond is needed to make the school system stronger. While the performance of the VWSD is certainly lacking, new ERDC employees are also looking for more shopping, entertainment and job opportunities for spouses, something lacking in Vicksburg. Worse yet, ERDC employees who choose to live in the Clinton and Madison areas receive monthly, non-taxable allowances from the Mass Transportation Benefit Program, making living away from Vicksburg affordable and more attractive.

As far as the $83 million bond request, there is no evidence to suggest more money will make the VWSD stronger. The poor grades VWSD has received in recent performance ratings suggest taxpayers are not getting the most from their tax dollars spent on students.

Check out school district spending on empowerms.org. The VWSD spends $9,734 per student, more than most districts in the state, yet has a student rating of D! By comparison, the Clinton, Rankin County and Madison County school districts all have A student ratings and spend at least $1,200 LESS per student than the VWSD.

Perhaps Vicksburg needs better VWSD management, a different approach to teaching or just better students. Having had two boys attend VWSD schools I have experienced the problems — poor discipline, poor teachers and poor management. The amount of spending isn’t the issue — the issue is the result — and the result is unacceptable.

Taxpayers should demand VWSD administrators, teachers and students work harder to justify the money we currently spend per student. If money was the issue, VWSD should be attaining A student ratings, just like Clinton, Madison County and Rankin County schools.

Richard A. Price

Vicksburg