County Commission Denies JMCSS Technology Budget Request
JACKSON, Tenn.–Madison County commissioners denied the school district‘s request for funding that would pay for new computers. “We‘re going in working with equipment that is faulty,” said Dr. Verna Ruffin, Jackson-Madison County Superintendent of Schools. On her first day on the job, Ruffin fought for funding. “It’s absolutely essential to get technology in the hands of students and teachers,” she said. In a close 14-10 vote, Madison County commissioners denied more than $900,000 in technology funding for the district. The money would have replaced about 2,600 computers. “We have a lot of other budgets that we need to take care of,” said Commissioner Doug Stephenson, budget chairman. Stephenson voted against the funding. “We would like a stronger game plan I guess so to speak in moving forward,” he said. The school district said about 1,300 of its computers are eight to 10 years old. “If we don’t prepare our kids technology wise then we gone be left behind,” said Commissioner Luther Mercer. Stephenson said the district can apply for the funding again. “Right now you try to make do with what you have,” said Ruffin.
