The Jackson Public School’s board of trustees meeting room was transformed into a setting reminiscent of a courtroom, Friday, March 25.
This was the first day of JPS Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards’ appeal hearing as a result of the board’s decision to not renew his contract that expires June 30.
The stage was set for Edwards to showcase why he should be granted a renewal. Local attorney and former Jackson Mayor Dale Danks has been retained to serve as legal counsel for Edwards. In cross-examination of JPS Board President Kisiah Nolan, Danks attempted to raise doubts about the board’s willingness to cooperate with the superintendent.
“Mrs. Nolan are you aware that Dr. Edwards presented plans to the previous board about hiring staff and opportunities to move the district in a different direction?” asked Danks. “Wouldn’t you agree that it takes time to implement programs and growth structures?” quizzed Danks.
Nolan maintained that Edwards had consistently failed to communicate major issues concerning the district. “We have not been kept up to speed and in a real sense just not informed on major issues, such as a pending federal lawsuit over special-education issues and audits of the district’s federal Title I funds,” Nolan testified.
Nolan, who was the board’s first witness, said the decision by the board was not a personal one. “It is true that we all really like Dr. Edwards,” she said. “But it seems as though we are not getting the right leadership to move the district forward out of our present quagmire.”
Moving between a notebook full of documents that included Edwards’ performance evaluation, Nolan said that Edwards failed to present comprehensive plans for improving academic performance. “Although Dr. Edwards has had to work with two different boards, one thing remained the same – he received low evaluation scores for academic performance of the district.
Jim Keith, a local attorney hired by the district, in opening remarks said the district is not gaining ground with the rest of the state. While there has been turnover on the school board, Keith said one thing has been consistent-Edwards had received low scores for the district’s academic performance.
He said Edwards was “expected to stop the bleeding.” That hasn’t happened, Keith said.
Danks suggested there was a pattern of board interference. “JPS has had five superintendents since 1990,” Danks said. “This could be an indication of the problem in the district.” The appeal hearing will resume April 18.
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