Some concerned citizens create petition calling for removal of JMCSS board member

In the email, Merriweather names specific family members of a former school employee.

The petition names four reasons the organizers believe Merriweather should resign.

The email, sent by the former school employee to all school board members, said, “I am asking you to please support Dr. Jones and his plan for our school system.”

In response to the email, Merriweather said, “First I want to say that I do support Dr. Jones but I will never support anyone that I think is not headed in the right direction.”

Merriweather then alleges in a second email that the former employee has a bias.

“Yes I know you were on the county payroll for a long time as well as your husband who now works in purchasing at the finance office,” the email from Merriweather says.

It also mentions more of the employee’s family members and where they work.

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reached out to Merriweather, who said since sending these emails he has apologized to the former employee and their family along with Dr. Jones.

In a message to WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Monday night, a relative of the woman who sent the email to board members says Merriweather has only reached out to one person in the family, but not the woman who originally sent the email.

A petition calling for his resignation is still active, and Merriweather has declined to comment on the matter.

After reaching out to several school board members, some declined to comment and others were not available.

JMCSS Superintendent Dr. Eric Jones released a statement Monday.

That statement reads in part, “It is my job as superintendent to keep the school system moving forward in the right direction.”

He added in the statement that he plans to continue working with the board as a whole moving forward. “It is my intention to continue to work with Merriweather and the entire board as long as I am in the role.”

For the full statement, visit the Seen on 7 section of our website.