“Vision 2020” budget committee meets
JACKSON, Tenn.-Members of the Jackson-Madison County School Board focus on the “Vision 2020” plan, by narrowing down the numbers. Members of the budget committee heard proposals of new programs that would be funded through savings of the “2020” plan. The controversial initiative to restructure the school system by closing several schools has no hard savings just yet. But estimates giving more than $2.5 million back to the classroom. “It’s too premature now for me to say what we think, but we’re trying to operate very conservatively, because we want to make sure that the programs that we do add to our school system, that we’re able to sustain them,” said Superintendent Verna Ruffin. Dr. Ruffin said any school closings would help fund new programs like year-round elementary schools, a behavioral transition academy and new reading materials. “It’s not saving it just for the purpose of just having it and keeping it in a pot somewhere, but it’s absolutely about repurposing it so that we can become a better school system,” said Dr. Ruffin. The committee is also looking at upfront costs for “Vision 2020”, such as inventory and building renovations. The board is scheduled to vote on the initiative in December.
