JMCSS work session and planning committee

JACKSON, Tenn — It was a busy day for board members and the superintendent as members met for the Long Range Planning Committee and a Board Work Session.

In the planning committee, members brainstormed about how to improve the district’s overall ranking in the state. They also agreed to talk and get feedback and advice from former principals.

The big take away from the meeting came from committee chairman Kevin Alexander after he proposed turning part of North Side High School into an elementary school. This change would ultimately turn the school into a K-12 school.

“It would just give us an option until that time we can build a new school out in that area,” Alexander said.

The committee asked Superintendent Verna Ruffin to take a closer look at that proposal and give her feedback.

After that meeting, the board went into a work session to prepare for this Thursday’s official board meeting.

The board heard a proposal to go back through certain schools and re-evaluate renovation projects.

In the superintendent’s report, Dr. Verna Ruffin gave an update to the traffic backup at several schools she also assured board members that no school in the district is overcrowded.

This comes after several board members got complaints from parents and requested she look further into it.

The board also heard a shocking concern of teacher absentee rates which is close to 14 percent.

Board members said they will be looking at different ways on how to fix what they call a major problem.

The board also heard public comments and got a financial report.

The school board will officially hold their monthly board meeting Thursday, November 10 in the boardroom.