JACKSON, Tenn. – In a continuation of trust and accountability between county leaders and Jackson-Madison County Schools, Superintendent Dr. Marlon King is resolute about collaborating with the Jackson-Madison County School Board and the Madison County Commissioners in determining the size and cost for the new Pope School.
According to a press release from Greg Hammond, Chief of Staff and Public Information for the Jackson-Madison County School System – the forthcoming PreK-8 school is slated to be constructed on the 40-acre Ashport Road property purchased by county leaders in 2019.
“I came here to serve students and families in this community. One person shouldn’t make a decision for a two decade or more project like the Pope School. It must be a concerted effort on both the board and commission to decide the future for our community. My whole approach has been a collaboration from day one, and I’m going to stick to my approach,” Dr. King said during the January Education Vision Committee meeting.
Under King’s direction, JMCSS has saved the county more than $12 million over the last 18 months through conservative spending practices and the strategic use of federal ESSER funds.
“A year ago, we were sitting here thinking we would have to issue debt for $4.9 million for furniture, fixtures, and equipment for JCM and Madison. And between Dr. Catlett and Dr. King, they either got state surplus or they used their fund balance, so there has been no debt issued and both schools are open,” Madison County Finance Director Karen Bell said.
With Covid-era supply chain issues impacting the cost of construction projects nationwide, delays in the pre-design phase are a cause for concern for school and county leaders alike.
The Financial Management Committee is expected to hear a presentation at its meeting next month around the Pope School options that will include the size and cost. There are currently 608 students enrolled in the current K-6 Pope School.
Expanding the school to PreK-8 is expected to increase enrollment to right at 1,000 students.
Students from Thelma Barker, Northeast, and open enrollment options will be considered.
“We will continue to look at our capital projects and use ESSER funds to save the county money. We know what the school funding situation looks like, but we don’t know what the county’s funding situation looks like. Through collaboration I am confident that we will do what is best for the community,” Dr. King said.
