April 15, 2020 at 4:00 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Board Special Called Meeting

Discussion:  James Johnson, Board Chairman welcomed everyone and read the following:  Through the effective date of Governor Lee's Executive Order NO. 16, all work sessions and meetings of the Board of Education will be by electronic means.  Board Members will participate by video conference.  Public access to the board room will not be available to the general public in order to protect public health, safety, and welfare because of the COVID-19-19 outbreak.  The General Public, however, will have live access to view the meeting via electronic means as described herein.

Discussion:  The purpose of the April 15, 2020 Special Called Meeting will be to have the Board Members and Dr. Marlon King to discussion mutual expectations while preparing the Superintendent contract.  James Johnson allowed each board member to express their expectations of Dr. King and than Dr. King was able to express his expectations of the Board Members.  Each Board Member congratulated and welcomed Dr. Marlon King to the system and expressed a few items such as; be the leader that JMCSS needs at this time and for several years, always put students first, all students need to be handled fairly and on the same level, be transparent with all, bring to JMCSS fairness, respect care and concern for all, place employees in postion that will excel for the system, notify Board Members for approval of items or issues, lead the system will all students in mind, build a team to assist with communication and transparentance and that the board members would like to much information and not enough for answers to the community.  

Dr. Marlon King expressed that he will work hard to build a relationship with the board and the community.  He will speak with others concerning the history of Jackson Madison County in hopes of not repeating the past few years in leadership, Dr. King would like the Board to be transparent with him and when a decision is made by the Board, it is decided.  Dr. King would like the Board to allow him time to handle issues and he will report back to them the outcome of the situation. 

James Johnson mentioned, the next step in the process witll be to continue working with Dale Thomas and Dr. Marlon King on a contract.  There will not need to be a special called meeting since the Board Meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2020 to approve the Superintendent Contract.  

Dale Thomas mentioned, Dr. Marlon King would come to the system on June 1, 2020 as a Consultant and work along with Ray Washingtion.  Dr. Marlon King would begin the Superintendent position on July 1, 2020.  Shannon Stewart asked, would there need to be two contracts in order for Dr. King to begin on June 1?  Mr. Thomas stated, there will not need to be two contracts.  When the Contract is ready for Board approval, a copy will be sent to all Board Members for review.  

Discussion:  There were no action items taken at the Special Called Meeting.