“It is a valid question, “What is really going on in thelegislature with the arts school?

To us, it appears to be nothing but pure politics where commonsense and facts fall victim to the smoke-filled rooms ofpolitics.

Perception is the key. If something is perceived as a good idea- then facts be damned it must be!

The official 2010 version of last year’s unsuccessful effort tomerge the Mississippi School of the Arts with the MississippiSchool for Math and Science in Columbus started Tuesdaymorning.

As the 1960s song says, “second verse, same as the first,” theonly apparent difference in last year’s bill and this year’s is thedesignating number on the bill and the date on the paperwork. Rep.Cecil Brown, D-Jackson and chairman of the House EducationCommittee, authored this year’s legislation as he did lastyear.

What defeated Brown’s measure in 2009 was the cost of the merger- with a lack of updated facilities at MUW it was going to costtaxpayers too much money to merge the schools. House members voteddown the measure with a 30-vote margin after legislators realizedthey had been led to believe the cost would be nothing more than”changing the bed sheets.”

While MUW still lacks the necessary instructional facilities, anapparent Band-Aid solution to last year’s housing problem opens anew issue – gender.

“Newly discovered” dorm space at MUW only allows a certainnumber of boys and a certain number of girls. Exceed that numberand some unfortunate child will miss the cut, not because of theirintellect or ability, but because of their sex!

The only plausible solution to the gender discrimination problemwill be to build new dorm space at MUW! Second verse same as thefirst!

Politics? Well, two bills, one in the House and the second inthe Senate, were filed this week that also call for the merger ofthe two specialty high schools – but in Brookhaven instead ofColumbus.

A little bit of political sidestepping and the House bill wasimmediately doomed as it was assigned to the House EducationCommittee chaired by Brown! Brown’s bill was assigned to the HouseAppropriations Committee chaired by Rep Johnny Stringer,D-Montrose, who co-authored last year’s bill to move MSA toColumbus.

Politics? Enter Gov. Haley Barbour.

In his Herculean effort to balance the state’s growing deficitcrisis, the governor suggested merging the two schools as part ofhis statewide school consolidation effort. Chairmen Brown andStringer, both Democrats, are now more than happy to hide behindthe Republican governor’s coattails.

Facing a $700 million dollar deficit, unpopular cuts are goingto be made. The state has no choice or Mississippi facesinsolvency!

This is where the facts on MSA must come into play. Theperception is that merging MSA and MSMS will save taxpayersmoney.

The facts, based on current budgets of the two schools andsubtracting estimated savings but adding back identified newexpenses, suggest otherwise.

The estimated cost per student of the combined schools will be$20,161. The estimated cost at Brookhaven is $18,187!

Considering the undisputed fact that renovation and constructionwill be needed at MUW at some point to accommodate the additionalMSA students, those capital expenditures will skyrocket into themillions. Meanwhile sitting in Southwest Mississippi is a $25million campus that is less than seven years old and whoseownership reverts to the City of Brookhaven. Did we mention thatthe state would continue to pay the bonds on that $25 million foryears to come?

Never let facts get in the way of a good perception!

Despite suggestions otherwise, the most realistic best economicmeasure for all concerned is to simply leave the two schools asthey are – on separate campuses.

Merging of administrative duties should be considered, butbecause overall the education missions are completely different andinstructional requirements have few areas to combine, little realdollars can be saved. The MSA and MSMS models are successful andare giving tremendous educational opportunities to Mississippi highschool students.

Politics? You be the judge!

From our vantage point right now kids across the state ingeneral and Southwest Mississippi in particular are just pawns in ahigh stakes political game.

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602,or send e-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.