Jackson-Madison Co. School Board has final meeting of 2016
JACKSON, Tenn. — With the holiday break just a week away, Thursday night was the last Jackson-Madison County School Board meeting for 2016.
“I think we got a lot accomplished,” Jackson-Madison County superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said. “We just didn’t need to have a long meeting to do that.”
For the last time this year, the Jackson-Madison County school board meet to discuss affairs of the school system. According to Madison County Finance Director Mike Nichols, the district is doing better financially compared to previous years.
“At this time last year, I was projecting a deficit, looks like we’re going to have a big surplus,” Madison County Finance Director Mike Nichols said.
Dr. Ruffin reassured everyone that equipment left behind at schools that closed as part of the “Vision 2020” will be reused or recycled. That moving process has been expedited for Beech Bluff Elementary to move all historical items from Rose Hill.
“The board has voted there is no longer a need in Jackson-Madison County for the school, that we would like to give it back to the county,” Dr. Ruffin said. “We want to make certain that anything that’s in the building is going to be removed from the building.”
Thursday night the board voted unanimously for an extended learning calendar for the next two school years for qualified K-3rd grade students at Lane and Arlington Elementary. That program will cost about $200,000 and only focus on reading skills during the summer months.
“Teach with the intentionality of improving literacy for our early readers,” Dr. Ruffin said.
Dr. Ruffin also addressed being named one of seven finalists for a superintendent role in Florida.
“I was asked to apply and I’m very honored that I will have an opportunity to interview,” Dr. Ruffin said.
After the interview process the Lake County school board in Florida is expected to make their choice for superintendent by December 22. Dr. Ruffin’s contract here in Jackson ends on June 30 of next year.
Next Thursday the Tennessee School Board Association will give feedback from community meetings and online survey in a special meeting. The criteria for a new superintendent for Jackson-Madison County will also be discussed.
