JMCSS School Board discusses capital improvements, major projects in meeting

JACKSON, Tenn. — Leaders with the Jackson-Madison County School System met to discuss capitol improvements and major projects underway.

Jackson Madison School Board members met Tuesday in the central office boardroom as they worked to finalize capital improvements.

An important line item on the agenda reviews the new Pope School on Ashport Road that is still on track to open next year.

“The pope is in the home stretch. We are putting finishing touches on soft costs such as furnishings and making some important decisions on site related to the traffic,” said Glen Gaugh, chairman of the capital committee, district 2.

The new facility is expected to be a quality k-8 school in the northwestern part of Madison County. Here’s how much planning went into preparation.

“We heard today, this is about a seven year total in the making so everybody is just thrilled to be at the stage we are and looking forward to opening next year,” said Gaugh.

More in the district’s Community Project include Hub City Central’s additional construction expenses.

“The most activity currently is with the stadium. That is a project that the district is funding. The other two aspects are Oman Arena and the central office complex we funded in large part by lesser which was COVID relief money,” said Gaugh.

Previous work was administered to the Oman Area and the central office to ensure both facilities didn’t leak to ensure structural integrity. They are now looking at final costs to complete both the central office complex and the football stadium in the oncoming weeks.

“Utilizing all of the funding resources much of which is dedicated to improving student outcomes and improving our priority schools we anticipate staying within a funding amount that does not impact taxes,” said Gaugh.

Among other orders of business, the Jackson-Madison County School Board is still considering a potential relocation of Early College High in the northwest part of the county, with a decision to follow in the future.

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