October 4, 2018 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Board Combine Meeting

Jackie McKnight, a Parent-she is concerned about the inner city children not being able to attend closer schools and what the Board plans to do about the inner city children. Ms. McKnight would like to see Jackson Central Merry to be reopened for the inner city children. 

Billy Wayne Moore, he is a parent of a JMCSS student-the Board needs to care about the inner city student because if the Board does not care, students are or will be in jail.  Mr. Moore believes that the Board could help with the direction of students with getting an education.  

Claudell Brown, County Commission- Mr. Brown is for all children of Madison County and hopes that the community is listening and will help with the students in Madison County.  Mr. Brown encourages all to have a vision for the children and we need to use money wisely. 

Shelia Godwin, from the community-Ms. Godwin feels that the Board was rushed in making decisions with the Capital Plan in the months of July and August.  Ms. Godwin has concerns about the Private Partnership with the system.  

Gabe  Hart, a Teacher at North East Middle School-Mr. Hart is a former student of JMCSS and as a teacher feels that this leadership has given confidence and security among the faculty and staff.  He also feels that these past few days may be changing the feelings among the staff due to the system has never had the support from leadership.  Mr. approves the Capital plan designed by Eric Jones for the system.  

Sherry Franks, a Pope Elementary parent-she is concerned with elementary students being moved to North Side High School even if they were to use one building on the property.  

Harrell Carter, President of NAACP-Mr. Carter expressed concern of the test scores and materials used by the students in JMCSS.  He also, mentioned that the Board needs to find a pay increase for the teachers since they are the ones working in the buildings.  

Gary Deaton, County Commission-Mr. Deaton mentioned that he supports the Capital Plan of Eric Jones of the school system.  Mr. Deaton stated that Eric Jones has the vision that the system needs.  He also stated that they will fund education and the jail project.  

Ken Hornburger, a parent-Mr. Hornburger is asking the Board to support Eric Jones and to look into ways of allowing children to attend closer schools.  

Terry Spearman, County Commission-Mr. Spearman supports 10-year plan but wants to hear about the one, two and three year plan to help with over crowding classrooms and buildings.  Mr. Spearman stated that children learn differently and they need accurate materials and textbooks in order to learn.  He feels that the Board needs to be part of the solution and not the problem.

Pastor Wayne Smith, Pastor at Pilgrim Rest Church-Pastor Smith encourages the Board to not only visit schools but to spend time in the schools.  He mentioned that the Board will need to have a discipline plan for Liberty and support teachers at all schools.  

David Wicker, a Principal at West Bemis-Mr. Wicker wanted the Board to know of a student that helped tie the shoe of another student at school.  When Mr. Wicker asked the boy, why did you help tie this boys shoe?  The Boy respond, "Mr. Wicker you have said, we are better if we work together."  Mr. Wicker encouraged the Board to work together.

Holly Kellar stated that due to the short turnaround time, the General Purpose Monthly Financial Statement, Quarterly School Expenditure Report and the Quarterly Utility Analysis reports were posted today on eMeeting.  Mrs. Kellar informed the Board that if they had questions, to notify her.  Jim Campbell asked, Monthly Financial Statement at the end of month for Technology, close to 50 % of the amount has been spent from the budget.  Holly Kellar stated due to the incumbered the copier contract, money needed to be spent at this time.  

Dale Thomas, JMCSS Attorney, explained to the Board about the Education Foundation Committee and that the terms of those serving will be in January of 2019.  Mr. Thomas stated that the Attorneys for JMCSS, the City and the County Commission have met and that the Bylaws will be reviewed and need to be voted on by the Board.  The Board voted to following to replace Jeff Wall on the Education Foundation Committee.

The Board voted Clarence Boone to replace Jeff Wall on the Education Foundation Committee with a vote of; one vote for Jennifer Melugin, five votes for Clarence Boone, one vote for Kara Reeves and two votes for Shelia Arnold.  

Kevin Alexander would like the Board to consider "TURNAROUND FIRST"  to be used for the Jackson-Madison County School System.  Mr. Alexander has four reasons on why he is bringing this motion for "TURNAROUND FIRST".  The four reasons are due to the ranking of JMCSS among the states,  ranked lower than the counties around JMCSS, due to these rankings parents are leaving the system and new buildings being discussed does not help to fix the problem with the students. 

Shannon Stewart asked for clarification on what the "TURNAROUND FIRST" means for the system.  Kevin Alexander stated, he understands that buildings are important but the focus needs to be on what happens in the classroom.  Wayne Arnold stated that the system has made strives in the right direction with curriculum.  Morris Merriweather stated that this system has been in a problem for years and it is time to come together as a Board and system.    Doris Black stated that the "TURNAROUND FIRST" is for all children in the system and compromise was needed to make this happen.  Janice Hampton stated that each Board Member represents their district and to bring concerns to the Board.  Ms. Hampton hopes that the TURNAROUND FIRST will be better understood after the Board Retreat.

Eric Jones presented the revisions to the 10 - Year Capital Plan to the Board.  This plan will be discussed further in the Board Retreat. The 10 - Year Capital Plan will be the following: 

Objectives; addressing $148 million worth of needs identified by TLM with roofing, HVAC replacement and structural reinforcements, every dollar spent is an effective and efficient use of taxpayer dollars, leveraging offerings and resources of local colleges, universities and business sector, thinking long term and cost effective solutions and establishing partnerships, opportunities that position our students to be competitive locally and globally, measuring cost of repairs vs. replacement of buildings and doing what's right for children.  

10 - Year Plan;

Lincoln to Whitehall, portion of students from Alexander rezoned to Lincoln, new K-8 Northwest, closing of Pope, New Jr/Sr. High school 6-12 east cluster on JCM campus, alleviate crowding at Liberty and North Parkway, renovation of west side former JCM campus to Early College High, Early College High housed in separate building, closing Alexander, Alexander students move to retro-fitted K-5 on former JCM Early College High, New Madison High on University of Memphis campus, Community Montessori have 25% zone component, completion of priority projects 2-5, Workforce Development Center, Complete renovation of NSHS and SSHS football complexes, possible K-8 south cluster, expansion of Pre-K at Malesus and expansion of Montessori Program.

Eric Jones stated that  when he became Superintendent that there were eight schools performing in the bottom 10% of the state.  Two priority schools of JCT and Lincoln have been making progress in academic areas.  There are two more schools that are priority and they are Arlington and Issac Lane and will receive money for training in these schools.  Liberty has many at risk students and Mr. Jones has been meeting with Janice Epperson to help with the situation at the school.  Mr. Jones stated that further discussions will be at the Board Retreat.