The Brookhaven and Lincoln County School districts have announced back-to-school dates for the 2014-2015 school year, and students and faculty can expect to see facility improvements and new programs when they return.

Ben Cox, superintendent of Brookhaven School District, said besides seeing a slightly higher enrollment, he is excited about infrastructure projects and implementing higher standards.

He said to expect renovation projects such as new tile floors, new roofs and fresh paint in various facilities within the district. He said he is looking forward to hearing students’ and parents’ feedback on the progress.

Letha Presley, assistant superintendent in the Lincoln County School District, had similar reports of progress and announced two new high school laboratories at Loyd Star and West Lincoln Attendance Centers as well as the renovation of the Enterprise Attendance Center’s cafeteria.

“We are looking forward to a good year,” Presley said.

She also announced the implementation of a new program called Renaissance 360. The program is designed to aid faculty and students by targeting skills and developing lesson plans for struggling students. The district adopted the program after the passage of the Common Core curriculum by the state.

Cox also spoke of the new Common Core standards and said the Brookhaven district is excited about the new curriculum.

Cox said the Common Core standards are influencing the curriculum, but no one entity is telling the school district exactly what and how to teach. However, the district will be adopting certain methods prescribed by the initiative.

“I am excited to see how it goes,” said Cox.

As both the county and city school districts implement Common Core standards, the districts have already began training faculty on the best ways to utilize the changes in the classroom.

Presley said the county schools are planning to have informative sessions educating parents on Common Core and its effect on the school districts starting in September.

Staff and faculty will be back at Brookhaven Schools on Aug. 1, and classes will begin on Aug. 7 for students.

Lincoln County Schools will start on Aug. 4, for faculty and staff and classes will begin Aug. 11.

Various individual schools also have special back-to-school events and activities.

Lipsey School will have a meet-and-great for parents and students to visit with teachers from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Aug. 5. Alexander Junior High School’s schedule may be picked up on Aug. 6, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. the day before classes start back. Students attending Brookhaven High School will pick up their schedules on Aug. 7, the first day of school.

As published by the Lincoln County School District website, Loyd Star Attendance Center’s schedules may be picked up for grades 9-12 on Wednesday, July 30, from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. West Lincoln schedule pick-up for grades 9 and 10 is Friday, Aug. 1, from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. For grade 11, pickup is Thursday, July 31, from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. For grade 12, Wednesday, July 30, from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Enterprise schedules for grades 7 and 8 may be picked up Wednesday, July 30, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Bogue Chitto students will receive their schedules on the first day of classes on Aug. 11.

Enterprise will have new student registration on Thursday, July 31, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Loyd Star new student registration will be held in the library on Friday, Aug. 1, from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For more school district information, contact the Lincoln County School District office at 601-835-0011 or the Brookhaven School District office at 601-833-6661 as well as online at http://lcsd.k12.ms.us and www.brookhaven.k12.ms.us.