Gov. Haley Barbour will be asked to declare an emergency in the Indianola and Tate County school districts.

The state Board of Education approved those recommendations at a recent meeting, taking another step toward a state takeover of the districts because of serious financial problems.

Superintendent Hank Bounds has said a state takeover is the only option because the districts have no authority to borrow or raise taxes before the fiscal year ends June 30.

When the state takes charge of a district, someone is appointed to essentially take over the district superintendent’s job and make necessary changes until the district has improved sufficiently to govern itself again.

Three school districts already are under state control, mostly due to academic problems — North Panola, Jefferson Davis County and Hazlehurst.