School district’s final Vision 2020 meeting draws hundreds
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JACKSON, Tenn. — For a final time, the Jackson-Madison County community came together to fight for their vision for the school district. Tuesday, the school board held its last Vision 2020 meeting. A final decision is expected in December. The controversial plan promises to close schools and change the faces of communities for the betterment of the entire district. But not everyone is convinced . “We’ll continue to fight all the way to the last meeting,” Stephanie Graham said. During the meeting at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus, hundreds of concerned parents, teachers and students eagerly shared their final thoughts on the new plan. “Numbers look good on paper, but they don’t look at the effect they have on the community,” James Johnson said. The proposal, designed by consultant group Kimley-Horn, was presented to the Jackson-Madison County School Board during the specially called meeting. Final adjustments to two options included closing either several middle and elementary schools or high schools. “The No. 1 reason that we have to do something for Jackson-Madison County is because we have to do better for our children,” Superintendent Verna Ruffin said. Even after Ruffin’s encouraging words, a majority of the crowd seemed less than pleased. A large number in the audience were outraged at the prospect of closing Jackson Central-Merry High School, located in east Jackson. “They deserve a school in their neighborhood. All students deserve a school in their neighborhood,” said Kara Reeves, a member of the JCM class of 1994. “For too many years the students at JCM have been put on the back burner.” Still, school board members reassured those in attendance that no decisions have been made on the fate of any school. “This does not mean that decisions have been made. These are all steps in the information gathering process,” said school board member Jim Campbell. Though some agree change is needed to make the district more efficient, many argue doing so shouldn’t destroy the core of communities. “I think change is good,” Johnson said. “One of the things that I think we did not do and have not done a good job of is looking at re-utilizing buildings instead of closing buildings.” The board will consider input and Kimley-Horn’s suggestions before releasing a final plan before the end of the year.
