Meridian at Hattiesburg

[Bulldogs4]

Long story there. Partially goes all the way back to desegregation days in the late 1960’s when almost cities starting see white people move out of the city. 
But in Meridian about 15 years ago, the Meridian High white enrollment was still about 25-30%. It was still a good solid number. Here goes:
1. Around 2009-10, The School Board hired a black superintendent from Chicago. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a black superintendent. But this guy came in and immediately and deliberately alienated all of the white teachers at the high school. These were veteran teachers who were excellent instructors. Guess what,  they either retired or went to the county schools.

2. When RD Harris retired the second time as Principal, they promoted the wrong person to be Principal. I will not mention a name but discipline started slacking combined with now inexperienced teachers and school started sliding down the slope.

3. The SPLC goaded the Justice Department into filing a suit against the school district accusing them of a school to prison pipeline with juvenile offenders. That dragged on for several years until it was finally settled. Now discipline was totally destroyed and the High School was dealt a mortal blow as far as the white community was concerned. The white % is now maybe 5%. 
4. There are now a lot of good kids at the high school but having a balanced enrollment of white/black/hispanic etc. kids makes a school better IMHO. In the present day, you have a relatively few students who can be problematic and then the perception of the school becomes worse than the reality. 
 

In a nutshell, that is it. It would be my hope that one day there will be more white students back at Meridian High. Up until about 15 years ago, it was one of the best high schools in Mississippi. 
And there is potential to get back to that academically and on the football field. For now it is only a hope. And a distance hope at that 

[BigFan100]

Didn't Gandy won 4 games last year?  Boyles won 6 year before not to much different to me. Boyles had a better chance to State at Meridian than Petal.

Petal may win 2 more regular season games thats it.

[Merlin]

35 minutes ago, BigFan100 said:

Didn't Gandy won 4 games last year?  Boyles won 6 year before not to much different to me. Boyles had a better chance to State at Meridian than Petal.

Petal may win 2 more regular season games thats it.

Doubt Boyle’s leaving meridian had much to do with winning a state title. Had a lot to do with money being thrown at him.

[ccbulldog]

Boyles made the second round of the playoffs. Gandy will never sniff the playoffs at Meridian. He does not have a clue what he's doing as head coach. Any team with a pulse will beat him.

[ccbulldog]

2 hours ago, Bulldogs4 said:

Long story there. Partially goes all the way back to desegregation days in the late 1960’s when almost cities starting see white people move out of the city. 
But in Meridian about 15 years ago, the Meridian High white enrollment was still about 25-30%. It was still a good solid number. Here goes:
1. Around 2009-10, The School Board hired a black superintendent from Chicago. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a black superintendent. But this guy came in and immediately and deliberately alienated all of the white teachers at the high school. These were veteran teachers who were excellent instructors. Guess what,  they either retired or went to the county schools.

2. When RD Harris retired the second time as Principal, they promoted the wrong person to be Principal. I will not mention a name but discipline started slacking combined with now inexperienced teachers and school started sliding down the slope.

3. The SPLC goaded the Justice Department into filing a suit against the school district accusing them of a school to prison pipeline with juvenile offenders. That dragged on for several years until it was finally settled. Now discipline was totally destroyed and the High School was dealt a mortal blow as far as the white community was concerned. The white % is now maybe 5%. 
4. There are now a lot of good kids at the high school but having a balanced enrollment of white/black/hispanic etc. kids makes a school better IMHO. In the present day, you have a relatively few students who can be problematic and then the perception of the school becomes worse than the reality. 
 

In a nutshell, that is it. It would be my hope that one day there will be more white students back at Meridian High. Up until about 15 years ago, it was one of the best high schools in Mississippi. 
And there is potential to get back to that academically and on the football field. For now it is only a hope. And a distance hope at that 

I'll tell you something else Bulldog, I have been going to Meridian high games since the Mac Barnes days, but the last couple of years I've been sitting on the visitor side because as a white person, I no longer really felt welcome on the Meridian side. As a Meridian High alumni this breaks my heart but it is what it is now.

[s1nglewing]

Meridian and Laurel seem to be in the same sinking boat. 

What might be the one major over-riding factor in their demise?

[Football In MS]

23 hours ago, BigFan100 said:

Didn't Gandy won 4 games last year?  Boyles won 6 year before not to much different to me. Boyles had a better chance to State at Meridian than Petal.

Petal may win 2 more regular season games thats it.

Petal will play NWR close and can beat Meridian and Pearl. OG and Brandon will be the games Petal struggles with. But region 3 seems more open this year than in years past.

However, I still think the 4 teams going to playoffs will be:

1/2: OG/Brandon

3/4: Petal/NWR

[Bulldogs4]

Doubtful Meridian wins another game. Again there is talent but Gandy is just not HC worthy. 
Sadly I don’t even seeing us being competitive with any of the Division teams at this point.