July 21, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Central High School Building, which houses several offices of the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), will be closed for the next five to seven days for safety reasons. The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration is in the process of surveying the building and the smoke and water damage is more extensive than initially estimated.
A dumpster fire behind the Jackson Marriott activated the sprinkler system in the Central High School Building, causing some water accumulation on the 2nd floor. MDE employees are not allowed to go into the building.
All MDE staff members who work in the Central High School Building are expected to work from home or an alternate location as directed by their immediate supervisors. All other MDE employees who do not work in the Central High School Building will continue to report to work as usual.
The MDE will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519