[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6741020,"mediaKeyId","3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232","parentId",3410667,"title","JPS finance team outlines FY26 budget assumptions as state appropriations remain unresolved","audioSeconds",876,"startMs",2971000,"endMs",3847000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232&start=2971&end=3847","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232/thumbnail_2971000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6741020/Mississippi/JPS-finance-team-outlines-FY26-budget-assumptions-as-state-appropriations-remain-unresolved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6741020-7078e36e153e8ff9a72a1cd5878cd2c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156731&Signature=Cqrv8Ie5thX34iWV9wqZwo1OAwmKy13UtZNgZx68Kqh5jwQF18PZ9emYxMrgcHJoKhGK34E~tBINp05tdbsBZULIHKGgxOrX68PpRcEhCeuZ3DuRfj2PGlXo2zivd4Y~NpyFEHNxrvCziW1xLyzvrVFuaA4Rl5hbqDtTc~y~p-evvPtNauXqV69u-bOE7Yfc9OrbSnUkJyCIAyUhm2uYFKtcEPakAw0116inpUARohazplvvgbWvFBUQZ5qDy5PGsDHCAPAyTe9gCvFBZO-dZEYWVFsXhla7bPn1eM~X04RcGH-Lhs0bSynk1bbUG8X5iS4tdv4xgugHVpQeYC894g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jackson Public School District","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Chief Operating Officer Earl Burke told the Jackson Public School District board that state and federal uncertainty is shaping the district's FY26 budget work, and he recommended conservative assumptions while the Legislature had not passed an appropriations bill.

Burke said the regular session closed without a finalized FY26 state budget and that House Bill 1630 and House Bill 1768, measures discussed during the session, did not produce a completed appropriations act. He said department guidance and draft proposals suggest a modest proposed increase in the base student cost and an estimated total education appropriation that the district is modeling into its budget scenarios. \"As always, we start with our Jackson Public Schools vision and mission,\" Burke said during the presentation, then reviewed revenue collections and expenditure controls for FY25.

Why it matters: The district is planning FY26 while key state decisions remain pending. Burke identified several cost pressures the board must absorb or offset: health insurance premiums that the state projects will rise in January 2026, a continued employer increase to the PERS contribution, utility and insurance inflation, and an anticipated reduction in indirect-cost reimbursements tied to federal grants such as ARP/ESSER.

Key facts and district posture: Burke reported that FY25 collections to date are ahead of last year and that expenditures have come in below budget due to hiring controls and other measures; the district had collected roughly 81% of its main operating fund at the time of the briefing. For FY26 planning the administration is budgeting based on a fall 2024 months 2 and 3 enrollment estimate of 17,621 scholars and a conservative planning enrollment of about 16,700 when pre-K is excluded.

Emerging priorities and contingencies: The administration listed planned or funded items for the next fiscal year including three additional professional development days for teachers, continued ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementation with July and January go-live milestones, data-center modernization (approximately $2 million), digital textbooks and device refresh cycles, and continued investment in deferred maintenance. Burke warned that the winding down of federal ESSER funding reduces indirect-cost recoveries that had supported program and operational costs; the district is preparing contingencies to move some program costs to local funds if required.

Board discussion and next steps: Board members pressed for clarity about how building closures and consolidation had affected cost structures and how much of the indirect-cost exposure remains. Administrators said closures produced immediate savings and ongoing cost avoidance but that some indirect-cost reductions tied to federal funding remain a risk. The administration scheduled a public hearing on the FY26 proposed budget at the June board meeting and indicated the second June meeting will include the approval vote.

Source and attribution: Presentation and Q&A with Earl Burke, chief operating officer and finance officer (budget presentation segment).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Board Meeting MAY 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chief Operating Officer Earl Burke told the Jackson Public School District board that state and federal uncertainty is shaping the district's FY26 budget work, and he recommended conservative assumptions while the Legislature had not passed an appropriations bill.","taxTitle","JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Mississippi","taxId",12967,"location","Mississippi","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6741017,"Board reviews multiple MOUs: food assistance, afterschool and university partnerships",587,5878000,6465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232&start=5878&end=6465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232/thumbnail_5878000.jpg","/articles/6741017/Mississippi/Board-reviews-multiple-MOUs-food-assistance-afterschool-and-university-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6741017-7ddf5f148085e6b36292857c9a26c455/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156731&Signature=dtw78yJfQB98uWqxNFZldbIaNjmlgCuw4q8dNYXc4zI1hILBCQPqDGLF0BJ9412MuLvTGlSYBcOBkHfZOxf5IjsHeWHrUaZmMfDti4lXogeKXCBSVsIj5dkEvztT9tKeMeW3ug-xMHAOlIqkEvI~Wzrl8AjfvAEqH451v5K4TK2rK2UfD4OPcuLklIFKH1vfOm2mjsEA0lvJRvxjSpKMLJlhYCiI2afN5QZx4Rg373ZB0aACfAev7PHB-r8R4KVJLZ02AWZQJE9r3L2juC4uDCi~dIFFaXhumjwfafqrvkntgAliFrWDvS0wLXCQMXBuNNdw2NNLsAABvX7vGfWcug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Public Schools presented several community partnership memoranda of understanding for board review, covering food assistance, after-school services, university partnerships and arts education.

The administration recommended renewal of an annual project agreement with the Mississippi Food Network to continue the backpack program (weekend meal kits) and a monthly school pantry program at select sites. The presentation noted that the exact number of participating school sites depends on sponsorship levels and that roughly seven sites are expected based on current funding; a definitive site list will depend on future sponsor commitments.

The board also reviewed a proposed agreement with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi to provide after-school and summer enrichment services, including literacy, mentoring and homework assistance. Administration representatives said they were open to future data-sharing discussions with peer after-school providers to compare outcomes.

Separately, the Office of Advanced Academics described a grant-funded five-day Jackson State University music camp for rising third- through fifth-grade scholars. The district also presented two education workforce development items: approval to support two JPS educators' participation in the University of Mississippi principal corps (including a one-year sabbatical for administrative internship requirements) and a renewal agreement with Belhaven University to preserve field experience and student-teaching placements through spring 2028.

Why it matters: The MOUs link district services to community resources that support scholars outside the classroom (meals and after-school supports), provide arts enrichment, and strengthen teacher pipelines. Funding levels, sponsor commitments and grant awards will determine how many scholars and sites are served.

Source and attribution: Presentations by Thea Faulkner (Partners in Education), other program staff and Dr. Knowles.","Jackson Public Schools presented several community partnership memoranda of understanding for board review, covering food assistance, after-school services, university partnerships and arts education.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6741018,"Jackson Public Schools highlights student-run mayoral forum giving scholars direct access to candidates",147,51000,198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232&start=51&end=198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232/thumbnail_51000.jpg","/articles/6741018/Mississippi/Jackson-Public-Schools-highlights-student-run-mayoral-forum-giving-scholars-direct-access-to-candidates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6741018-bbcb66c72782bd6ae203efa7c01dab35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156731&Signature=hNZ61N2710cmsosrl0TQFq65b7tAnigKsJhN3d66-4lx7nMow3hFXc9VoAFrTC-vX0lZQcwwZYTN1Ff5ViXcPRfIynwToHaA9uwmMzgENwDD9lxfWtnVfY2wmrqxQKgL1Ay4jFSfXEney3R-QqDoAWT~i24hyT29tf5muztFrA~WNCkiTkak0zBK9qS1NeQdS6vxW21oBZUrn~A1YwoTy3Au92~bJSJJZ4UF6iUKbElZmLLqQ8Q854INPYo8V7bVg-lQi5JsvWLdCpZfd8zehj4nnjICoQa2-TxfJr89S4UnulTyrZGHlIS-We80gN4OwcrzjDKGxYIntwRlWi8jtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Public Schools presented highlights from a first-of-its-kind mayoral forum that allowed JPS scholars to question municipal candidates on issues affecting their daily lives.

Superintendent Green described the forum as an unplanned but valuable opportunity, noting that 11 candidates participated and scholars asked direct questions about the Jackson water crisis, youth violence and education funding. \"For the first time, JPS scholars had the opportunity to question those running for mayor of Jackson, challenging them on real issues that impact their daily lives,\" the superintendent said.

Students who moderated and asked questions described the event as empowering. One scholar who served as moderator, identified in the presentation as Javion, received special recognition from district leaders for his role. Student comments emphasized that the forum helped them understand how policies affect families and encouraged them to bring information back to their households.

Why it matters: The forum represents a tangible civic-engagement exercise for young people and underscores the district's interest in connecting classroom learning about civics to real-world elections. District officials framed the event as part of a broader effort to make civic engagement concrete for students.

Source and attribution: Superintendent Green and student remarks during the opening highlights segment of the board meeting.","Jackson Public Schools recapped a Mayoral Forum organized for JPS scholars in which 11 candidates answered questions posed by students on issues including the Jackson water crisis, youth violence and school funding. District leaders called the event historic and said it gave students a civic-learning opportunity to question candidates directly.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6741019,"JPS presents school improvement data as Wilkins and People's report very low math proficiency",1087,4922000,6009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232&start=4922&end=6009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232/thumbnail_4922000.jpg","/articles/6741019/Mississippi/JPS-presents-school-improvement-data-as-Wilkins-and-Peoples-report-very-low-math-proficiency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6741019-926abc3fa6ea437114334745ba578462/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156731&Signature=DedmXXrvsMMwUex6lqpQ5ZFVyMxpXv5CAjule8f~IhxI0xrQmUNzA5y23dCIOnzLVc~H5~aroO2Nsa5j6dLo0fVWeNsuwsWEkj8XQOH4MFwr9zYLvd4AcyVhELF6EnVjtZ8azE6L73votMiMgRWbHh4WXOJVbp5nWW7u~ju6PkbBSn8fB9YHdGf8LsbLBOYeWPCvmNkOs6zG3r0csGYjBUgo8VOIwlqwmhpBKR047mF2P5sob3erLuBMzoY38nOg9EsyvVPO8uUgN4uJZTCmgTfiTBAmYYZ2v-vGd6xrAIGCrbRB9NtaDYPTxLNdGK3JkqNxwmmL8UM17Ou87p9ClQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Public Schools staff presented school improvement data for identified low-performing schools and described immediate and longer-term measures to accelerate math gains.

Dr. Leish of the Office of School Support reviewed April data for CSI/TSI campuses and highlighted Wilkins Elementary's third-grade math proficiency at around 5 percent. The report noted a combination of disruptive staffing events including the death of a third-grade teacher and an extended FMLA leave for a fourth-grade teacher that interrupted consistent classroom instruction. \"Their roles couldn't fully replace the impact of a dedicated teacher in the classroom every day,\" staff said when explaining why additional instructional supports were deployed.

People's (People's Bridal School in the transcript) showed similarly low outcomes in middle grades, with benchmarks indicating many students remained at the lowest proficiency band (PL1). Dr. Alvinette Buchanan recounted benchmark-level breakdowns across sixth through eighth grades and said coaches and classroom teachers were implementing targeted pullouts, 30-minute mini-lessons on low-performing standards, co-teaching, and differentiated instruction during planning periods to accelerate growth.

Administrators emphasized both the short-term measures already in place and the need for structural changes. As an example, they noted that at another school, Powell, every student participates in a learning-strategies course tailored to deficits and attends that course on an alternating schedule; the district is exploring replicating that model for incoming leadership at People's. Network coaches and the Office of Teaching and Learning deployed intensive small-group instruction after benchmark 3 and scheduled additional monitoring when the district's map results are released.

Why it matters: Low proficiency concentrated in specific schools raises questions about staffing stability, curriculum implementation fidelity, and scheduling decisions that can affect promotion and long-term student outcomes. The administration described concrete interventions and said it will continue monitoring and adjusting strategies based on forthcoming assessment results.

Source and attribution: Office of School Support presentation led by Dr. Leish; follow-up details by Dr. Alvinette Buchanan (Office of Teaching and Learning).","District Office of School Support presented April benchmark data for CSI/TSI schools. Wilkins reported about 5% third-grade math proficiency and People's reported roughly 9% proficiency; administrators cited teacher vacancies, extended leaves and curriculum implementation gaps and described targeted interventions and coaching.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6741015,"JPS and Jackson Zoo launch school 'adoption' partnership for hands-on learning",261,1481000,1742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232&start=1481&end=1742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410667-ad2b183dc3dc2dff547dd75a1a6d3232/thumbnail_1481000.jpg","/articles/6741015/Mississippi/JPS-and-Jackson-Zoo-launch-school-adoption-partnership-for-hands-on-learning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6741015-5536f8357fdb04865c60faf1e42c208a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156731&Signature=WHnMWg3qvVqQ6oZIJ6AaP17SPhClCKrf77ddXdp6s0P5h3DpWpxZiBfnaUw-mvUk0jGaTxLgSfaD88w5rwM8bldHGYUFQ4LJNSDmpeTdLDysXNtLO10kN~LIICZ-1W3KhE5lkyMV0JLlLqp-ozRRIAjaq6UMPtkc18qM2wqtzXlCBsdm4tkQ~nL5thYSzJZrOkYSq33F1Psgnb7EASh02GHCDPQw5s8UM51spGdrXVYuvK9i2PFoSSViwVUBaLqOxU7eZMMvQR6uhfBqRenCRMpOQsJ1hOgrCDKaL9voahM0jeMvYxmgNxYmwepQgU1kmZKqZKQ0ma5Z82VVob-XZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Public Schools announced a partnership with the Jackson Zoo that assigns specific animals to participating high schools to support hands-on volunteer opportunities and curriculum-connected experiences.

Danavia Bell, science instructor coach for the high school network, described the kickoff and the assignment of animals: Callaway adopted the American cougar, Forest Hill the chimpanzee, Jim Hill the Sumatran tiger, Lanier the Asiatic black bear, Mara the Grevy's zebra, Provine the white rhinoceros, and a joint assignment of an ostrich and an American flamingo for J.T. and J.M.Z. students. Students appointed to the program will visit their animals, help with feeding and basic care, assist keepers, and participate in fundraising or maintenance activities to support their adopted animal.

Why it matters: The partnership aims to create experiential learning opportunities, expose students to careers in animal care, and use the city as a classroom. School leaders framed the collaboration as a way to develop long-term interest in zoo and animal-care professions and to support a century-old institution that the district described as needing renewed community care and investment.

Source and attribution: Remarks by Danavia Bell, science instructor coach, and Jackson Zoo keepers during the program kickoff at the board meeting.","Jackson Public Schools announced a partnership with the Jackson Zoo where each high school will adopt an animal, enabling students to volunteer, feed and help care for animals as part of experiential learning and potential career exploration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

JPS finance team outlines FY26 budget assumptions as state appropriations remain unresolved

Board reviews multiple MOUs: food assistance, afterschool and university partnerships

Jackson Public Schools highlights student-run mayoral forum giving scholars direct access to candidates

JPS presents school improvement data as Wilkins and People's report very low math proficiency

JPS and Jackson Zoo launch school 'adoption' partnership for hands-on learning