Priorities collide at school system budget meeting

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson-Madison County School System board members express frustration at Wednesday morning’s budget meeting.

“As a county resident, I feel like the county commission over-micromanaged their committees, their departments,” school board member Truman Murray said.

Commissioners said they have good reason for managing in the way they have been.

“Due to the fact some of the projects weren’t carried forward like we thought they were going to be, that’s caused us, for lack of a better phrase, to have a bitter taste in our mouth,” Madison County Commissioner Doug Stephenson said.

This upcoming school year, students heading back to class will be seeing some big changes. It’s the first year under Vision 2020, the school’s restructuring plan for the district. Some teachers will also be taking on different roles.

“We re-positioned some of these people that were coming from a closed school into a system that needed added support,” JMCSS Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said.

As this plan is under way, school district and county officials are crunching numbers trying to approve a budget by the end of the month. This includes hammering down what major repairs need to be taken care of, including roofs and air conditioning units.

School leaders also have a close eye on funding for special programs such as Early College High and academies within the schools.

The commission must approve a budget by July 1.