Community weighs in on future of Jackson-Madison County Schools
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JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson-Madison County School System will soon see changes. Another series of public forums wrapped up Thursday that will impact the future of the district. Parent Paul Williams is one of hundreds of people the district says attended. “I want to see change,” he said. “I want to see people coming back or parents sending their children back to the public school system.” Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said they are working with a consultant who will take public input, come up with alternatives, then present those ideas to the community in May. “The first group of plans that may come out in May are not necessarily the final ones,” Ruffin said. Ruffin said people will see their voices do matter. “I think it has been very successful in engaging people in critical conversations that should always happen before you have major change,” she said. Some of the concerns brought up include facilities, safety, technology, perception of the school district, and communication. “I think this is one of the avenues that’ll help us get to the next level,” Williams said. The district said the school board will vote on changes in the fall then begin implementing them by the start of the 2016-2017 school year. The district will host another series of public forums in May. Here is a list of the times and locations: May 11 at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Fairgrounds May 12 at 9 a.m. at the Westwood Community Center May 12 at 12:30 p.m. at TR White Sportsplex May 13 at 9 a.m. at Fellowship Bible Church May 13 at 3 p.m. at the Central Office Board Room May 13 at 6 p.m. at Jackson State Community College‘s Ayers Auditorium
