by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer
PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — Some reports arrive in charts and percentages, but this one arrived in testimony. On March 20th, the Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce hosted its State of Education Address at the Pass Christian Yacht Club, bringing together community members to take a closer look at where the district stands and where it is headed.
Superintendent Dr. Carla J. Evers and her team presented an overview of the Pass Christian Public School District, highlighting a track record of strong academic performance: high graduation rates, competitive ACT scores, national merit recognition, and top state rankings. But the clearest picture came from the students themselves.
Throughout the presentation, attendees heard directly from those experiencing these programs firsthand, offering insights that numbers alone can not capture. The student’s testimonies put the district’s efforts into focus, highlighting the impact happening inside classrooms, on stages, and across campuses.
That includes a range of programs and protections currently in place. District leaders emphasized expanding access to pre-K, continual growth in arts education, and restoring theater programs, opening doors to creativity and expression.
A district that invests in both opportunity and security. Assistant Superintendent and Chief Operations Officer Dr. Robyn Killebrew introduced safety measures such as the student-led Hope Squad, where peers are trained to recognize and respond to signs of distress, implementing a culture of support. The focus extends physically as well, with weapon-detection systems and emergency alert badges providing another layer of protection across campuses. Chief Financial Officer Dennis Cochran explained that those efforts are underpinned by careful planning, citing responsible budgeting, impeccably strong local funding, and consistent, clean audit reports.
Looking forward, growth is underway, with initiatives like the “Raise the Cain” campaign, an effort to invest $8.6 million into a new performing arts center designed to serve students and the community. The project is not just a facility, but a long-term commitment to nurturing the arts.
To wrap the morning, Superintendent Dr. Carla J. Evers reflected on both the turnout and the momentum behind the district’s work, pointing back to the community’s role in making it all possible: “I am appreciative of the community’s continued support of our schools, which was demonstrated today by the community members who came out to hear about our updates. I’m excited that they had the opportunity to hear straight from our children, because I think hearing their experiences really helps sink in exactly what we’re trying to do for our children. So, it was a really good day. We have a lot of great things going on in our school district, especially with our Raise the Cain campaign, where we’re seeking to raise 86 million in donations to help offset the building of a new performing arts center for our children and community.”
As the district’s efforts push toward new possibilities, one thing remains constant: a district built not just on plans and progress, but on a community invested in the next generation.
(Front Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press. Inside Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)
