JACKSON, TN (April 9, 2020) – In action that has been predicted, the Jackson-Madison County School Board voted to offer Dr. Marlon King the position of superintendent of schools.

The board also approved a motion for chairman Pete Johnson to negotiate contract terms with school board attorney and for the board to meet with Dr. King to suggest next steps. It’s unclear when or how that meeting can take place since the community and most of the state is under shelter at home orders due to COVID-19 virus.

Due to restrictions regarding the gathering of people in groups the school board met electronically using video conferencing. There was opportunity for JEA subscribers to watch the meeting on TV EPlus TV6 but no opportunity for public comment or questions was allowed.

Three candidates names were up for consideration. On the first round of voting Pete Johnson, Carol Carter-Estes, Janice Hampton, Doris Black, Kevin Alexander, voted for Dr. Marlon King. Shannon Stewart voted for Dr. Roderick Richmond, Jim Campbell, AJ Massey, and Wayne Arnold all passed on the vote.  In the previous work session, concern had been expressed regarding lack of opportunity to fully question and vet the candidate’s background and ambitions. This led several board members to feel that they didn’t have enough information to vote for or against any of the candidates.  

Before the vote on the contract board member Jim Campbell made a motion that school board members have a “sit down meeting“ with Dr. King to find out what his expectations of the board are and for them to discuss their expectations with him. However, in part because of the electronic communications and the confusion the motion was never given an opportunity for a second. Wayne Arnold and Kevin Alexander attempted to bring Campbell‘s motion back up for discussion and vote but Pete Johnson, chairman, said the conversation had moved on and it was no longer on the table for discussion.

Keith Sherley
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