JMCSS Winter Break extended due to road conditions
JACKSON, Tenn. – Jackson-Madison County School System will extend its Winter Break due to road conditions, according to Superintendent Marlon King.
He sent out the following message:
If you follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @suptking, you may have seen my recent post sharing my thoughts on school closures, along with photos of current road conditions. It is one thing to hear about the weather and quite another to experience it firsthand. After personally driving through city streets covered in snow and ice, I couldn’t help but think about what our county roads must look like—especially those that are traveled far less frequently than inner-city routes.
Because of this, and because I care deeply about the safety and well-being of our students and employees, we have made the decision to delay our return to school until Wednesday, February 4. This decision was not made lightly, and I know firsthand the burden that extended closures can place on working families. Please know that these choices are always guided by care, caution, and concern for our community.
During this time, I encourage students and families to continue engaging with our Academic & Wellness Toolkit. To make things fun and motivating, the class or classes with the highest usage in i-Ready and IXL will receive a reward. Whether it’s a pizza party or a trip to the bowling alley, this is a great opportunity for students to team up, stay on pace, and keep learning moving forward. And don’t forget daily reading! A few years ago, I even took students on a $500 shopping spree at Walmart, and moments like that remind me how powerful encouragement can be.
Another factor we must consider is how dramatically temperatures drop overnight. While daytime warmth may allow some ice to melt, freezing nighttime temperatures refreeze roads and streets, creating dangerous conditions. For that reason, I want to provide families with advance notice so you can plan accordingly.
Even during closures, our work does not stop. Cold temperatures can cause unexpected issues in school buildings. This week, Madison Academic High School experienced flooding. I am incredibly proud of Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ricky Catlett and his team for their swift response. Within hours, the issue was resolved and the building was restored to normal conditions. This level of responsiveness is the standard we are striving for across our system.
I appreciate the community members who alerted us quickly, and I want to gently remind everyone that this is YOUR public school system. It does not belong to me, the Board, principals, or teachers alone—it belongs to all of us. When we protect it, support it, and hold ourselves to a standard of excellence, we make it better for everyone.
While buildings remain closed over the next several days, if you notice anything concerning around our schools, please let us know. We have a “Let’s Talk” app, which my team and I monitor and respond to within 24 hours. When we communicate and act proactively, we strengthen not only our schools but our entire community. Click here to view potential weekend forecast.
As the public school system goes, so goes the community. When we work together, we grow together—and progress follows.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Superintendent to some and a coach to others. It is truly an honor.
With gratitude,
Marlon D. King
For more winter weather coverage, click here.
