Public speaks out over Dr. Brent Lay’s JMCSS proposals

JACKSON, Tenn. — “This whole charade has done nothing but delay, delay, delay,” said one Jackson-Madison County parent during Tuesday’s long-range planning committee meeting.

The meeting stirred up quite a crowd to hear Dr. Brent Lay’s second proposal for the Jackson-Madison County School System.

“I titled my presentation the ‘Greatest Schools in America,’ because with all my heart, I feel like we can have the greatest schools in America,” Lay said.

Lay, who is retired, works as a part-time minister at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson.

He also served as director of recreation for Madison County and director of juvenile court services.

He said he supports the idea of more K-8 schools.

In Lay’s 30-minute proposal, he suggests moving elementary students to North Side High School to relieve overcrowding.

“I’m just now asking for the fifth grade through the eighth grade to be those closest to North Side School. It saves taxpayers $15 million,” Lay said.

Leann Henderson, a Pope Elementary School parent, said she does not agree with this idea.

“Small children are very impressionable. There’s no reason that even if they are in separate buildings with separate entrances, that we need to have that interaction,” Henderson said.

Lay also said another reason to have more K-8 schools is because he says middle schools in Madison County aren’t doing well.

“Google that up and you’ll see them bragging over and over again, that and sometimes there’s 8- to 10-year-old studies saying that a K-8 is far better than middle schools,” Lay said.

“We have a K-8 at Rose Hill that’s representative of our entire district,” JMCSS Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Jared Myracle said. “They score right at the district average. So my question, professionally, is if a K-8 fixes everything, why isn’t Rose Hill the highest ranking school in the district?”

Many of the plans Lay suggested were opposed by some parents at the meeting. Henderson was given three minutes to comment on his proposal.

“Dr. Lay, whose credentials do not include JMCSS parent, teacher, administrator or even an independent public education expert,” Henderson said.

“They think what I am talking about now is delaying the new school. I am very much for the new school,” Lay said.

“All that they have heard from Dr. Lay is a distraction,” Henderson said.

The long-range planning committee members said they will look at Lay’s proposals over the next 30 days.