Grading system, more discussed in JMCSS Board meeting

JACKSON, Tenn. — We’re taking a look at what’s on the agenda as JMCSS students start the second month of the new school year.

September’s general meeting for the Jackson-Madison County School System bring forward a few orders of business that board members approved for the further development of the school system.

We spoke with the chairman that tells us about school board operations that help maintain progress.

“We have a five year strategic plan that we get together with the board and that’s something that we use to set goals to stay on track. The main one is our yearly plan because it’s more like a living organism because we have such a humongous district. We have over 13,000 students and 2,000 employees. We actually have a book. The goals are set in academics and capital. Everything is spelled out in that book,” said Harvey Walden, JMCSS Board chairman.

The grading system is another agenda item that members took into consideration as students start the second month of the the semester.

“It’s a state law to go by a certain rubric and we just caught that in policy and just clarified it,” said Walden.

The goal for Superintendent Marlon King is to keep a focus on academics and that’s the way he will make necessary adjustments to the superintendents performance metric.

“We have a the metric rubric that we come up with a couple of years ago that is setting more measurable goals for him–for his bonuses. So, he wanted to tweak it some this year and really have emphasis on LEA (local education agency),” said Walden.

The Jackson-Madison County Central Office is moving soon and the county will take over their current space.

The school district will keep their maintenance department and warehouse, and they’re paying the county $1 a year until a suitable place is found in the future.

“We will be going to the old Madison Academic Building that is getting close to being finished. It’s going to be a show piece there along with the Hub City Complex. It’s right next to the new track and Oman Arena that we’re working on we hope to be moved in before June of 2026,” said Walden.

Out of a panel of nine school board members,  the chairman was reelected to his position.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.