[{"_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",6201579,"mediaKeyId","3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c","parentId",3792257,"title","Board approves lead‑partner awards for school leadership and teacher supports","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",4375000,"endMs",4467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c&start=4375&end=4467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c/thumbnail_4375000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6201579/Mississippi/Board-approves-leadpartner-awards-for-school-leadership-and-teacher-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201579-41e820223270771af5c91d0dac74f079/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447420&Signature=hXLr8znFGGLx93CDtsY2lYZohsUuXj2YWvGT2h8AEvFAoWJsac7y7GbqA88ZEfooYUNtgxeqKezO3QD5Uop-Ufam34KDhWswXlqV0PYPyFYGdarTvfvAmAX4z73M9-IYbUVZEAZbWtFHpfhiIAvOhlaGMccRji8Jt1bB2T6K4V28Qk6SlEKUGPgS0BSKVTaMrzdThFDfRfcjkwlbLthRrAb3wxFT4OmOd5ryCNND-QUCwxkcw-WkusyWn6y5ZrlgyH0KC0nb~tVshhQ-0xveeV86OsapkQJHcNz5pgpqLgaQx3mox9FuIoAMgJIH2xPn3MBxNYS10R2TMyZZ~~eiAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jackson Public School District","date","2025-06-06T12:04:39Z","article","The Jackson Public School District administration recommended awarding RFP 2025‑04 (school and district leadership) and RFP 2025‑05 (teacher supports) to a set of lead partners; the Board of Trustees approved the recommendations.

Dr. Cormack presented the awards and named the recommended partners for leadership supports—Instruction Partners, The Kirkland Group, and EduService (CT3 Education)—and the larger set for teacher supports, which included The Kirkland Group, EduService, Kids First, International Solutions for Growth Group, Core Learning, the Center for Applied Linguistics and EL Engage. The teacher supports RFP was divided into four categories: grades 3–12 teachers, English‑learner supports, early‑childhood (preK–grade) teachers and special educators.

Trustees asked for additional data to accompany future contract approvals: specifically, evidence of partner track records and the measurable impact of lead‑partner work. Dr. Cormack and other administrators said they convene quarterly meetings with lead partners and agreed to bring performance data to the board when contracts are presented for approval.

Motions to approve both RFP award recommendations were moved by Trustee Mitch Figurs and carried by voice vote with no nays recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Board Meeting JUNE 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved awarding two RFPs to multiple lead partners for school and district leadership supports and teacher supports, including firms such as The Kirkland Group, CT3/EduService, Core Learning, Center for Applied Linguistics and others.","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},6201584,"Board hears new mentoring agreement: Improve Your Tomorrow to serve 100 middle-school scholars with grant funds",185,1612000,1797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c&start=1612&end=1797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c/thumbnail_1612000.jpg","/articles/6201584/Mississippi/Board-hears-new-mentoring-agreement-Improve-Your-Tomorrow-to-serve-100-middle-school-scholars-with-grant-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201584-f39669cfa74bbcb343e4ebb9ec2bc879/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447420&Signature=d12Sxi5U5vlWZv37lCiNfCVTDe2YdSH7LANtOjd8LRVN9XYY9EGKcMyC02DjicJtu0jf9aOiIjOuSN9rTMgc7ARQ2VUVdZu5vlSKydJWiPlZJnPYkyhTv3zKkYWtaUSBg11escFphuyaLnfavmQ7H2qc3zutvhVo4ZIRaQExQyfPJAtvL7vtDyPLroPBwp0PuAv4np0NsgspRXl5UkQSUCcYD75KgyVJ03isbcsQ4y78ZrFQrwe89Zmf-uNyRoyqQTf5hwC1zqt-gro2o8FcRNz~ggqgbQkahqk7yaYaJhFbdN8jci6qDXo0mEMYI8w-znApphzk9e56ywTW6W~9aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district presented an information item describing a new, grant‑funded mentoring partnership with Improve Your Tomorrow that would serve 100 scholars—50 at Blackburn Middle School and 50 at Powell Middle School—through a college‑academy model of mentoring, academic supports, social‑emotional sessions, family workshops and college trips.

Miss Lakeisha Marshall Thomas said the program is funded through grant and private funds and that no district funds are required. She described site visits by program representatives and a visit from a mentor to the district that allowed staff to see daily routines for mentors on site. Dr. Sebeck and other trustees asked for external references because this would be a new engagement with the organization in Jackson; Marshall Thomas confirmed that the program has not previously worked with JPS and that formal references had not yet been obtained.

Trustee comments emphasized the desire for due diligence before approving a new vendor relationship. Marshall Thomas and other administrators committed to collecting external references and more background on Improve Your Tomorrow and said they would provide that information to the board prior to the June 17 meeting.

The presentation conveyed program goals, including targeted mentoring for young men and women of color, family engagement and academic supports, and noted the program would be implemented with mentors performing structured work on site.","The administration presented a new, grant‑funded mentoring agreement with Improve Your Tomorrow to serve 100 scholars at Blackburn and Powell Middle Schools; trustees requested external references and promised additional vetting before contractual approval.",{"_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},6201589,"District seeks bus-routing upgrade, onboard tablets and new parent app; board questions contract term and data portability",488,1998000,2486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c&start=1998&end=2486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c/thumbnail_1998000.jpg","/articles/6201589/Mississippi/District-seeks-bus-routing-upgrade-onboard-tablets-and-new-parent-app-board-questions-contract-term-and-data-portability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201589-ae1cb966b3606d2b863e8b840b7005f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447420&Signature=YELdn9q6gci13oxCv4rAvvCyWEpMjoJ-D8fnEKPEufVLlb4KHe~A28KpmdWZx9bdE04FMtYLX3wLjxqHoOmE2I8mlRVbKVpv3BHDGPOT-47Lgg7K3q4PjO8gDCXayAtU8kz~xdPV2U0eGm0iAUj8Ju0t06T-DeBaTm~2eEM5OjrTsLYLFK8b5K3K~BM4jprWUL0ZsU~Z-N1Kgy78v3Bw95ZbwwVZcwTw1K2OdLYCiQ8tr-2kjK7ckuUabrSHMi06BOI3SilsW3m2ZN2pBxwJ7YFdV8ItdlRVLoYr6TWA3~2CrXcDKBefdFiyDKUvwvADc-Yr2HjU8LSoeHMBTny1NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Public Schools presented a plan to upgrade its routing software with Tyler Technologies, equip buses with onboard tablets for pre‑trip inspections and turn‑by‑turn directions, and move to the MyRIDE K12 parent portal to replace the existing MyStop app.

Miss Harris Martin, executive director of transportation, said the tablets will be placed on buses for drivers to perform bumper‑to‑bumper pre‑trip inspections and receive sub‑route assignments and turn‑by‑turn directions. She said the upgraded system will be web‑based and enable a two‑way communication portal between parents and the district. Martin said partnership work with First Student, which now has access to the routing system, has helped to improve routes and operational capacity.

Board members pressed administration on contract length, data portability and whether the district should consider a multi‑year contract for technology. Martin said the current proposal was for a one‑year renewal while the district works to align this contract with other Tyler agreements; staff told trustees they will work with the district attorney over the next 12 months to seek a longer or consolidated agreement. Trustees also raised concerns about the district’s ability to export or port routing data if it later leaves the vendor; administration said they would address data‑ownership and export format questions in contract negotiations.

The presentation included technical and operational justifications for the upgrade: improved routing accuracy, an updated parent portal with two‑way messaging, and web access so staff can make adjustments remotely. No formal board approval vote on a multi‑year contract was taken at the meeting; the item was presented for review and discussion.","The administration proposed upgrading Tyler Technologies routing software, adding onboard tablets to buses and switching to the MyRIDE parent portal. Trustees asked about a single‑year contract, data ownership and how the district will use a new partnership with First Student to improve routes.",{"_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},6201594,"Jackson board approves reconfiguration plan: Ida B. Wells to close; Obama Elementary to co‑locate with Northwest",759,3495000,4254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c&start=3495&end=4254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c/thumbnail_3495000.jpg","/articles/6201594/Mississippi/Jackson-board-approves-reconfiguration-plan-Ida-B-Wells-to-close-Obama-Elementary-to-colocate-with-Northwest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201594-817b9c53c8054a215a79343596608e48/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447420&Signature=nnc6tEOOkBIPFKX60Vp0edOol4~sNVbdf6tjTs1yi30~6pPk7V5NPhtnKBIbtV103gGDYZuuOkPzeY5WfseTVOaCqj6vJZYuFFA-r0XKS5lKIlLkge~Rdn16cxA0nYGsrIdfia6jGolUmCKxnzg2I7zjpFR4EKTaKjgE~1oVq0Wx-jjJxyM30ExlKsbSytcIp9vMVQC2x-PIpaSIANZBtmoq5oAT3dfRUgEBHlrdsPi2VRN3cQyq8UQBDgWtQDV-SBzY-I7OVr1oNHFdMH9hEbliwEyqxPLcAsqUO-OOXAIOFlk0hcjk~pINHURKIaVjSWGTSXpy-vInK4xRfrfs7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jackson Public School District administration recommended, and the Board of Trustees approved, a set of school reconfiguration actions that include closing Ida B. Wells Elementary, reconfiguring Bailey Magnet Middle School, and relocating Barack Obama Elementary to co‑locate with Northwest.

At the April 24 board meeting, Dr. Merrick presented the administration’s recommendation: close Ida B. Wells Elementary; keep the Wells building open for the APAC program; reconfigure Bailey Magnet Middle School (as described in the administration materials); and relocate Barack Obama Elementary to co‑locate with Northwest at an address cited in the presentation. Dr. Merrick said Obama would remain a separate pre‑K through grade school while sharing a building.

Board members asked for operational clarifications about entrances, playgrounds and signage at the co‑located campuses. Dr. Merrick and other administrators said planning was already underway for separate points of entry for elementary and middle school students at the Northwest site, that playground equipment was being delivered or had been installed at some sites, and that staff were coordinating signage so Obama’s identity would be preserved while co‑located. The administration also said it would place the former Obama building into the district’s facility repurposing process for potential reuse or partnership opportunities.

Trustees pressed for and received commitments to follow up on specific facility concerns raised by parents: playground readiness, secure and appropriate points of entry for young students in larger buildings, and surrounding neighborhood conditions (such as vegetation and illicit dumping) that affect safe access. Dr. Merrick said staff would work with principals and the district’s public‑engagement team to surface and address specific parent concerns and to plan open‑house and ribbon‑cutting events.

There was a motion to approve the recommended reconfiguration (information/action item c). Trustee Mitch Figurs moved the motion; the board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.

The administration said it would provide further details to the board and community as work continues on signage, playground installation and community engagement around the co‑located sites.","The Jackson Public School District administration recommended—and the board approved—closing Ida B. Wells Elementary, keeping the Wells building for the APAC program, reconfiguring Bailey Magnet Middle School, and relocating Barack Obama Elementary to co‑locate with Northwest.",{"_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},6201599,"Jackson Public Schools partnership with American Red Cross yields 535 pints, district scholarships",565,162000,727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c&start=162&end=727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3792257-3de258ffee2bf061881f7f28fb84507c/thumbnail_162000.jpg","/articles/6201599/Mississippi/Jackson-Public-Schools-partnership-with-American-Red-Cross-yields-535-pints-district-scholarships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201599-6e2430a44056d83d957f2ddd97c21ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773447420&Signature=DvalKh7jVODVyCpnB6aRpIyEiU9kRBJjV8WrWiJrxLY8-pRCB4e7g7fcKJK9fqlTuZkjLxsmyrdwSNBZlXaeHw1sXQsualTg~dLQpQy~WlCI1q8hnXc~fIdJg4eBsO36K16hBxU6SlhBOdw50LlZFbv56MRDz4ybGcRxZfifVF2KvTY8ZYHSh0LdcQiN8Vh5-bslhNHaavbxSh~wcBlGd48zoY0GHakUu9GxgWkIcgg4Av6WQYXVktBySk8gymK3l8YVF6fDt2fcwZnh11gYiGyLQAxJbAoaCZGRr7EcUhPd4DeUlbYUOkV~xQjNsSz3mBhWoAwVCC1Y6i8kbc7WOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Public Schools and the American Red Cross told the Board of Trustees that a districtwide student-led blood donation campaign collected 535 pints of blood and generated $12,350 in scholarship awards for students.

The report, presented by Assistant Superintendent for High Schools Lakeisha Marshall Thomas and American Red Cross representatives, said the drives were run by student councils and advisers across all six JPS high schools. Denise Smith of the American Red Cross described the drives as “a life saving effort” and said the 535 units collected have the potential to impact more than 1,600 lives.

The campaign also included scholarship awards tied to the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative. Marshall Thomas said the total of district scholarship awards linked to the campaign was $12,350 and that three Jackson schools were, as of the report, in the national top 10 for units collected; the top-10 ranking would earn an additional $5,000 scholarship for one student at each qualifying school if the placement holds when final tallies are completed.

Denise Smith, Strategic Business Planning Manager for Donor Recruitment at the American Red Cross, said, “We couldn’t have done what we did without the leadership of Miss Beaulieu and the student council advisors.” She added that the Red Cross planned continued monthly drives and local events, and recognized Jackson Public Schools as the Southwest Mississippi Chapter’s Blood Services Sponsorship Group of the Year in a presentation dated April 24, 2025.

Marshall Thomas and board members highlighted student leadership and learning outcomes from the effort: students gained knowledge about sickle cell disease, engaged in public-health advocacy, and helped increase the district’s national visibility for community health work. The district said the Red Cross partnership also includes additional student development opportunities such as HBCU ambassador programming at Jackson State University.

Board members applauded the results and asked staff to continue providing updates on final scholarship tallies and any follow-up programming tied to the initiative.","Jackson Public Schools leaders and American Red Cross representatives reported that a districtwide student-led blood drive collected 535 pints of blood, produced $12,350 in scholarships and placed three JPS schools in the Red Cross national top 10 for sickle-cell–focused collections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves lead‑partner awards for school leadership and teacher supports

Board hears new mentoring agreement: Improve Your Tomorrow to serve 100 middle-school scholars with grant funds

District seeks bus-routing upgrade, onboard tablets and new parent app; board questions contract term and data portability

Jackson board approves reconfiguration plan: Ida B. Wells to close; Obama Elementary to co‑locate with Northwest

Jackson Public Schools partnership with American Red Cross yields 535 pints, district scholarships