Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The State Board of Education is likely to study a new plan to create a separate statewide school district in Mississippi to take over troubled schools and school districts.

The move comes a year after the House of Representatives rejected a similar plan over fears of loss of local control and opposition to more charter schools. As envisioned in last year's legislation, such a district would be able to take over local schools indefinitely. Current takeovers are designed to restore schools to local control after a few years.

The board discussed the study Thursday in a work session where frustration over inability to turn around schools boiled over. Board member Wayne Gann of Corinth says Mississippi "has the worst political environment for public education in the state since desegregation days."