House Appropriations Chairman Johnny Stringer, D-Montrose, laid down the gauntlet on Thursday when he singled out the state's two residential high schools as examples of areas to find budget savings. The Mississippi School of the Arts located here in Brookhaven and the Mississippi School for Math and Science located on the campus of Mississippi University for Women in Columbus are 230 miles apart. Stringer believes it would be more cost efficient if the schools were operated on a single campus.

A bill sponsored by Stringer to consolidate MSA and MSMS at Columbus was defeated by a 30-vote margin earlier this year. Legislators realized that moving the arts school would be financially unfeasible due to millions of dollars in renovation and new construction costs that would have been required on the MUW campus.

Since the earliest days of MSA there has been an effort by Columbus leaders to find a way consolidate the two schools onto the MUW campus in an effort to prop up the ailing historic MUW campus. This year that effort could gain traction as legislators are forced to find even more budget savings.

With that in mind, legislators may want to consider the Appropriations chairman's ideas but with a slightly different twist from last year - consolidate the two schools onto the Brookhaven campus!

Why? Consider the following, as it may be the most prudent solution.

According to the 2009 budget for the Mississippi Department of Education, in an apples to apples comparison, the per-pupil cost of an MSA student in Brookhaven was $20,698. The per-pupil cost at the math and science school in Columbus was $22,312. While the student costs are high, the Brookhaven campus obviously is run more efficiently - possibly due to the newer and more modern facilities.

Another issue to consider is double dipping. The Brookhaven campus along with the buildings on the campus are owned by the State of Mississippi - every dollar invested by taxpayers are dollars owned by taxpayers. The math and science school is required to lease its facilities from state-owned MUW - taxpayers effectively pay twice!

A third issue is dorm and instructional space. Consolidation of the two schools on either campus will require renovation or construction expense as neither campus has enough usable vacant space, although the Brookhaven campus likely has the edge as it has the newest facilities.

From an economic development standpoint, the Golden Triangle area is booming while Southwest Mississippi is struggling - spreading economic and job resources to all corners of the state is a wiser investment of state funds by state legislators.

Putting financial issues aside, another strong reason for consideration of consolidating the campus to Brookhaven is simple as community. While Columbus is a delightful place to live and raise a family, the fact remains that the MUW campus is a college campus, which mixes high school age juniors and seniors with college age adults. Located a short drive away is another larger college campus - Mississippi State University!

Here in Brookhaven students are located among quiet historic neighborhoods that allow 16- and 17-year-olds a feel similar to their own hometown in other parts of Mississippi. Five churches are located within two blocks of MSA.

At the same time parents can feel comfortable that their child is secure in a safe, clean and wholesome small town environment. The fact that Brookhaven sits in a dry county while Columbus does not and the fact that the Brookhaven campus location does not require a 10-foot tall iron security fence might also sit well with future MSMS parents.

These trying economic times require tough decisions and creative thinking. Every option should be considered with the future in mind.

If consolidation is the aim of legislators, that consolidation appears to be more cost effective and more parental friendly here on the campus in Brookhaven.

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602, or send e-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.