According to the Jackson Public Schools (JPS) website, JPS is the second largest school district in the state. It serves more than 30,000 students. These students are divided between 56 schools: 8 high schools, 10 middle schools and 38 elementary schools.
JPS employs nearly 5,000 people, which makes it the fourth largest employer in the Jackson metro area. The district operates an annual budget of $199 million and it has 2, 208 full-time teachers.
The Department of Education assigned ratings to 55 of the district’s schools, of which 34 are at risk of failing or on academic watch. The other 21 are rated successful, high performing or star schools, the highest labels given by the state.
The district overall is under academic watch according to this ranking system because the district has not met growth expectations set by the state, meaning Jackson students have not made significant enough academic gains.
The district has one superintendent.
A five-member board of trustees governs the district, with each being appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council.
In a 3-1 vote taken in December 2010, the JPS board of trustees voted not to renew the contract of Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, which expires June 30, 2011. The board made its decision public Wednesday, Jan. 26. Those voting not to renew Edwards’ contract were Kisiah Nolan, Monica Gilmore-Love and George Schimmel. Otha Burton voted to renew his contract. Ivory Phillips was absent.
Among the reasons cited in Edwards’ evaluation is a poor performing district.
JPS has the lowest graduation rate in the tri-county area, 68.6 percent, according to data from the state Department of Education. In 2006-07, the JPS graduation rate was 81 percent.
The dropout rate in 2010 was 24.3 percent, an increase from 15.9 percent in 2008.
The board’s decision has garnered a mix of support.
Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, who never attends Monday work sessions with the council by his own admission, showed up Jan. 24, to voice his support of Edwards. “My reason for being here today is trying to help save this superintendent,” Stokes said. “I’m not saying that he’s drowning, but I’m saying everybody feels he’s done a good job.”
Stokes elevated his support for Edwards by requesting an Attorney General’s opinion as to whether or not the council can dismiss school board members before their terms expire. The AG’s opinion delivered to the council was that appointed school board members cannot be recalled before their five-year terms are complete.
Ollye Shirley, a former board of trustee member said she was confused by the outcry to save Edwards’ job. “The members of the school board are professionals, they are certified to work in their chosen professions. They have evaluated their own staff members, and they have conducted a formal evaluation of the superintendent,” Shirley said. “So, I am puzzled that people who have not done such an evaluation think they know best what this district needs.”
Edwards has ten days from the day he was informed to seek an appeal.
“The board has made a preliminary determination to not renew Dr. Edwards’ contract,” said Dorian Turner, who serves as the attorney for the school board. “He has 10 days to request a hearin; if he doesn’t, then the decision is final.” Edwards told members of the media that while he respected the board’s decision, he was weighing his options.
If Edwards request an appeal, essentially it would be him trying to change the board’s decision.
“If he makes a formal appeal request, then we will grant a hearing; the board will review transcripts and make a final decision based on that,” Turner said. “It would actually be an opportunity for him [Edwards] to show reasons why the decision should be overturned.
Nolan, who serves as the president of the board of trustees, said some people seem to be losing sight of what’s important. “I just want us to remember why schools were established – to educate girls and boys,” Nolan said. “And in doing so, we have to make tough decisions in the best interest of the students we serve.
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