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More than $2.3 million of student and teacher devices and $460,000-plus in software for virtual learning were the focus Jackson-Madison County School System used to reopen schools in 2020 thanks to federal grant money.
Dozens of projects to address learning loss, technology and other school projects made up most of JMCSS’ $16.7 million in grant spending in the following months.
With a third allocation of grant money totaling over $37 million in hand, JMCSS leaders say the district will spend more than the 20% required of it to address learning loss.
Board Chairman James “Pete” Johnson has said that learning loss didn’t start with the pandemic. Strategies to address that loss have traditionally lacked funding, he said.
WBBJ TV
May 20, 2021
JACKSON, Tenn. The Jackson-Madison County School Board is moving forward with four projects throughout the district.
Those projects are the Jackson Academic STEAM Academy, the JMCSS Teaching and Learning Center, Pope School K-8, and a multipurpose stadium, according to a news release.
Federal funding from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, or ESSER 2.0, allowed the school system to begin several of these projects, including transforming the former Malesus Elementary School to become the physical facility for JASA, the release says.
“As the second largest system in West Tennessee, Jackson-Madison County has the fiscal capacity to improve several areas of need. What you’re seeing now is a joint effort from the school system and local government to apply the strategic application needed to address long- standing needs. The CommUNITY project will impact academic and economic outcomes,” Superintendent Dr. Marlon King said in the releas
A year ago, workers started the long-anticipated construction of the new Madison Academic High and renovated Jackson Central-Merry High with plans for an August 2021 opening, which is now less than four months away.
Registration has filled around 700 seats at the 6-12 grade JCM that’s been closed since May 2016 just as Madison Academic accepts hundreds of students from its randomized lottery. Last school year, Madison had more than 400 students, but the new school’s capacity is for 600 students.
The agreed-upon completion date, which hasn’t changed despite the pandemic, is July 31 – two days before school starts.
As Crocker Construction works overtime to get the projects done, Jackson-Madison County School System leadership prepares for the schools’ opening, and board members – who were a part of approving the public-private partnership to construct the schools – express their excitement and eagerness, even more so after the March 30 tour of the facilities.
Whether by emails and phones calls, through occasional meetings or with a resolution, the Jackson-Madison County School System board tries to vocalize its concern or support for proposed legislation whenever state lawmakers consider things affecting the educational system.
Like when the school board opposed public-school funded vouchers to private schools in 2019 or when the board recently supported legislation that says the Basic Education Program funding for the 2021-22 school year cannot be lower than it was this school year.
A March 26 meeting between board members, Sen. Ed Jackson and Rep. Johnny Shaw allowed board members to advocate for more state-funded pre-k education, waiving teacher costs, a resolution the board sent and lottery funding for students.
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