JMCSS Exploring Open Enrollment
JACKSON, Tenn. – There could be a big change for thousands of students in the Jackson-Madison County School System. A new open enrollment plan that would allow parents to choose where their children go to school could go into effect by the next school year. School board officials said the policies and details will have to go before the board, but they are exploring an open enrollment option. Tish McCory has three kids that go to JMCSS, three different school and she is not happy about it. “Because of their zoning. They’re like totally in different places, way out of our area,” said McCory. When McCory heard about the possibility of being able to choose where her children go to school, her feelings about the school system immediately changed. “That would be so great, because it would be more convenient if they were closer,” added McCory. According to school board officials an open enrollment option could become available to parents of Jackson-Madison County students as soon as the 2013-14 school year. It would allow parents more of a choice in where their child attends school instead of relying solely on zoning. “There’s going to be a lot of parents and a lot of students that are going to like that because they may want to go to a certain school and now they’ll be able to,” said Carolyn Driver. School board officials also said nothing is finalized yet, but what could happen is the zoning would stay in place and where there is space available parents would then have a choice. The Madison County School Board said it wants parents input and on September 17 at 6:30 at Jackson Central-Merry Library. Parents will be able to voice their opinions on the open enrollment option.
