JMCSS Superintendent Dr. Ruffin Puts Rumors to Rest
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JACKSON, Tenn. – Rumors are running rampant about the future of Jackson-Madison County Schools. Even teachers and staff have questions about schools closing and a supposed mass shuffling of positions. Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said neither of those rumors are true. She said moving principals or teachers around does not make sense. “That has never been my practice to just move people around. It absolutely does not work when you do that, and I have no intention of just moving people around,” Dr. Ruffin said. Parents like Dorian Wright have heard rumors like that some of her kids’ favorite teachers will not be at the school next year. “I kind [of] don’t think that’s fair because they have the credentials, they went to school for it, so I kind [of] don’t think that’s fair,” Wright said. Dr. Ruffin said those rumors are also false. She said the only teachers who must reapply for their jobs are those at Northeast Middle School, which will also have a new principal after the current one resigned. “I think it’s really nerve-racking when you do that kind of fresh start. But I think what it does for an entire system. It says we have to have the right people in the right places to be able to get work done on behalf of the children,” Dr. Ruffin said. Dr. Ruffin said even her own employees have asked her about school closings within the district. “It needs to be very clear. I’m not closing a school and there are not schools closing in 2014,” Dr. Ruffin said. She said that subject has never been discussed between her and the school board but that does not mean it will not be part of the conversation in the coming years. Dr. Ruffin said she plans to hold three forums for the community in the next few weeks where anyone is welcome and can ask her anything. The dates have not been decided. WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News will keep you updated when those dates are announced.
