PICAYUNE — Schools in Pearl River County’s three districts were given grades, just like their students, and some of those grades could be cause for concern. Poplarville’s school district received the best grades in the county, while Picayune and Pearl River County school districts have room for improvement.

Poplarville’s district received a “B” overall. The elementary school in that district received a grade of “C,” the middle school got a grade of “B” while the junior and high schools topped out with an “A.”

Picayune’s Municipal Separate School District did not fare so well. Every school within the district received a grade of “C,” except for the high school, which got a “D.”

In the Pearl River County School District there were mixed grades. The elementary schools received a “B” and the junior high got a “C,” but the High School received a “D.” District wide the Pearl River County School District was rated as “C.”

Grades for each school were based on how students performed, according to a release from the Mississippi Department of Education.

“Classifications included achievement and academic growth or improvement. Achievement is measured by the Quality of Distribution Index (QDI), with the minimum QDI zero and the maximum at 300. The state’s QDI is 154. Growth, on the other hand, is based on whether students demonstrate performance equal to or better than expected based on how they performed the previous school year,” the release states.

This year’s grading system steps away from the previous system of Star, High Performing, Successful, Academic Watch and Low Performing and instead uses the system of A through F. Graduation rates were not factored into the grade, the release states. But a five year graduation rate was provided for each district. Picayune’s graduation rate was 79.1 percent. Pearl River County’s rate was 72 percent and Poplarville’s rate was 83.3 percent.

A statement sent via e-mail from Lt. Gov. Tate Reeve’s office commended those schools with good grades, but shows concern for how Mississippi schools are performing.

“I am proud of the improvements made in many of our school districts, but with 66 percent graded at C or worse, clearly the Legislature’s work to reform our educational system is only beginning,” Reeves said. “More rigorous accountability standards will better prepare Mississippi students for college or career, and public charter schools will give Mississippi parents a choice in their children’s education. The new transparent grading system gives parents and communities an honest picture of where their district stands. Now, we must continue our efforts to give students and parents the public education system they deserve.”

Local businessmen and officials also showed concern for the grades received, especially in the Picayune district.

Picayune Municipal Judge, local attorney and local businessman Gerald Cruthird said he is disappointed with how the Picayune school district fared.

“I am disappointed to learn the school system has sunk to such a low level of respect to merit the rankings it received in the information released by the Mississippi Department of Education,” Cruthird said. “I believe the school board needs to apply the same oversight standards that businesses in the real world apply to performance and goals accomplished.”

Cruthird said the results could impact the city’s ability to attract new businesses and industries, since companies look at school performance, among other aspects, when considering locating to an area.

Local businessman and Picayune city council member Wayne Gouguet also expressed concern for his school district’s recent grades.

“For the amount of dollars we put into education in the Picayune school district, we need, as the community and as stake holders, we need to expect better. Our students deserve the absolute best education they can get. For too long we have become complacent with mediocrity in education,” Gouguet said.

Gouguet said the grading system was set up to hold the district’s board and high level administrators accountable, especially since those scores decide whether new companies will locate here, but they also affect property values.

“If you have a choice of locating to a star school (district) or Picayune, where are you going to locate?” Gouguet said.

Picayune Superintendent Dean Shaw admitted the scores are not where he would like them to be, but he pointed out that growth was met at the elementary and at the junior high schools. He said all teachers and administrators in the district are working hard to grow and improve their scores. With high school being a gateway to college, Shaw said the high school’s low grade is cause for concern, but there is a plan in place to improve those scores.

“We are not satisfied,” Shaw said.

Calls for comment to Poplarville Superintendent Carl Merritt and Pearl River County Superintendent Alan Lumpkin Friday afternoon were not immediately returned.