BROOKHAVEN — A private fund-raising board for the MississippiSchool of the Arts has been established and held its first meetingWednesday at Lampton Auditorium.

The 16-member Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) Foundation,which is appointed by the State Board of Education, is charged withtrying to secure private funding to assist the school, which isscheduled to open in the fall of 2003. Approximately 60 high schooljuniors from around the state will attend the first year, with thetotal growing to around 300 juniors and seniors when the school isfully operational by 2007.

Jack Kyle of Jackson, who was elected foundation president, saidthe school will be an “empowerment resource” for helping the stateto prosper.

“This is an opportunity to make quantum leaps in education,cultural awareness and in improving communities throughout thestate,” Kyle said.

In 1999, the state legislature authorized the school on theWhitworth College campus and passed an $11.4 million bond issue tobegin renovations of buildings. The city has contributed $3 millionfrom a bond issue, a $1.5 million Housing and Urban Developmentgrant and the legislature this year passed another $7 million bondissue to continue campus work.

“The legislature has really shown support in creating this,”Kyle said. “Without the support of the legislature . . . this wouldnever have gotten off the ground.”

In updating foundation members on school plans, MSA ExecutiveDirector Dr. Vicki Bodenhamer said the building work funds put theschool in a position to be opened in 2003.

“We can open the school if we can adequate operating budget inthe upcoming session of the legislature,” said Bodenhamer,estimating that about $1.5 million will be need for operations.

Without additional building fund help, though, Bodenhamer saidthe most the school would be able to handle is 120 students. Sheand foundation members were hopeful and optimistic that additionalfunding, public and private, would become available.

“There’s nothing we can’t do if we want to do it,” Kylesaid.

Wednesday’s meeting was largely organizational, with election ofofficers and other start-up matters addressed. Alvin Smith waselected vice-president while Marilyn Harris was chosen secretaryand Richard Baker as treasurer.

The foundation is awaiting final Internal Reserve Servicedesignation as a non-profit organization. The board’s next meetingis scheduled for November and the designation could be made bythen.

Foundations members discussed identifying and pursuing potentialdonors to the school. Bodenhamer said her intentions were to nothave donations used for operational expenses.

Former First Lady Pat Fordice, who is credited with planting theidea that got the school started, is an honorary member of thefoundation. She applauded Bodenhamer’s efforts in planning for theschool and its curriculum.

“If we can just get the money in order, the plans are there andthe vision is there,” Fordice said.

School and foundation officials speculated that the school couldbe instrumental in producing the next Eudora Welty, Leontyne Price,B.B. King, Sela Ward, Morgan Freeman or other Mississippians whohave gained fame in the artistic world.

“It’ll be interesting to see in years to come who comes out ofthis school,” said Fordice while mentioning several famous people.”This list is endless.”