Less than two months after being elected to the Jackson-Madison County School Board, Morris Merriweather has resigned.

“The powers that be wanted incarceration (new county jail) over education, and I wanted education over incarceration,” Merriweather said, “Elected officials – black and white – fought me, so I gave them what they wanted.”

Morriweather served as an administrator in the Jackson-Madison County School System for 23 years before retiring in 2007.

According to the Jackson-Madison County School Board, Merriweather returned to serve as a substitute teacher for five years.

A lifelong resident of Jackson, Merriweather was among the first 12 students to integrate the Jackson-Madison County School System.

Active in community affairs, Merriweather has served on numerous boards and commissions for the State of Tennessee. He is the recipient of numerous awards and citations recognizing his many accomplishments as an educator and community leader.

According to Kim Buckley, administrator of elections at the Madison County election commission, the Madison County Commission will appoint an interim member.

The next election for the seat will be in August, 2020.

(PHOTO: Morris Merriweather, seated, far right)
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