Just before the halls were full of students, Meridian's new school Superintendent, Charles Kent, set down with Newscenter Eleven's John Johnson to discuss his goals for the district.

"We are also inviting parents to come in to the system. We want parents back in the schools. Once upon a time, we would say,"send us your children and we will take care of them." We didn't have parental involvement. We definitely need that involvement these days," said Kent.

Kent is originally from the Mississippi delta. He previously served as superintendent for the County Club Hills School District near Chicago.