To: Hinds County School District Board Members, Superintendent, and Mississippi Department of Education

From: Concerned Parents of the Hinds County School District

As parents, guardians, and community members, we entrust the Hinds County School District with the education, safety, and emotional well-being of our children. We believe that every student deserves a learning environment built on respect, fairness, and transparency.

In recent years, serious concerns have arisen regarding the leadership conduct of Board President Linda Laws. While we recognize and respect the important role of the School Board, we are deeply troubled by ongoing reports that suggest a pattern of intimidation, lack of accountability, and disregard for parental involvement within our district’s operations.

Parents and staff members have expressed that:
1. A culture of fear has developed within schools, where employees feel pressured to act in retaliatory ways that conflict with ethical standards and the best interests of students. 

2. There are allegations of grade manipulation, undermining students’ academic records and damaging their confidence and future opportunities.

3. Past incidents of unprofessional conduct during Ms. Laws’ tenure in prior administrative positions were allegedly overlooked during the board appointment process, raising serious questions about vetting and accountability. Linda Laws was terminated as the principal at Bolton Edwards Elementary/Middle School and had to be forcibly removed from the premises by police escort. 

4. Transparency concerns persist around access to student assessment data, including the MaAP results, and the district’s communication with parents about student performance and retention decisions. Staff members informed parents that their child failed the MaAP assessments without providing a copy of the test scores. Upon receiving the test scores, it was revealed that the students had, in fact, passed. We, the community, are tired of the blatant lies and deception of Hinds County School District.

5. There have been instances where students were excluded from school photos and social media recognition, creating unnecessary emotional harm and promoting division rather than inclusion.

6. Physical altercations among staff members reportedly occurred without clear disciplinary follow-up, eroding trust in the district’s commitment to maintaining a safe and professional environment.

These concerns have caused significant distress among parents, students, and educators who simply want what’s best for our children. We are not seeking conflict. We are seeking answers, accountability, and reform. 

We, the undersigned parents and community members, respectfully request the following:

1. An independent review by the Mississippi Department of Education or an impartial external entity into the recent conduct and leadership practices of Board President Linda Laws. 
2. A formal audit and public disclosure of all decisions related to student grading, retention, and assessment communications for the past two academic years.
3. A review of ethical and procedural compliance within the district to ensure that all staff and board members adhere to state codes of conduct.
4. Restoration of parental transparency and engagement, including open access to board meeting information, budget allocations, and student academic data.
5. Commitment to a safe, inclusive learning environment where no student is excluded, and no staff member or parent feels intimidated for speaking up.

We believe in the mission of the Hinds County School District. We believe in our teachers, our students, and our shared community values. What we seek is simple: leadership that reflects integrity, compassion, and accountability.

Together, we can ensure that every child in Hinds County receives the education and respect they deserve.

Sincerely,
The Parents and Community Members of Hinds County School District