School board approves school names, sports changes

JACKSON, Tenn. — Some big decisions by the Jackson-Madison County School board that will affect thousands of students.

Athletics topped the agenda for the school board, Thursday night as members passed co-op programs for certain schools and changed the colors and mascots for others.

The newly approved co-op programs will include a K-8 sports level that includes Pope and Rose Hill. As for the colors, they will play under, the board was presented with a plan created by the principals of all of the schools that were combined under “Vision 2020.”

Five of the nine schools had requested mascot and color changes, including Rose Hill and the new Early College High School at JCM. The board approved all but one and that was changes to the new middle school in Bemis. Some board members said more needs to be done to talk with people in community about the future of the school.

“The people of West Madison County have lost their school, lost their colors, and now they’ve lost their mascot,” board member George Neely said.

“I think something could be done in order to get more parents out to reconsider,” board member Janice Hampton said. “It’s just not fair, it’s not fair to that community.”

Also discussed during the meeting was excess property being stored in the annex building at Jackson Central-Merry High School. Board members approved trying to auction a large portion of those items, including TV’s, lights, and other equipment off before throwing it away.

The school board also said although some things involving “Vision 2020” are costing a little more than anticipated, they are still on track and on budget.

If you would like to check out the new mascots and colors voted on Thursday night, click here.