Jackson board votes to oppose Ambition Prep’s proposed high school expansion

The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees voted on Oct. 15 to oppose Ambition Preparatory Charter School’s request to expand from K–8 to include grades 9–12 and to increase enrollment. The board’s vote instructs the district to communicate its opposition to both Ambition Prep and the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board.

Superintendent Doctor Green told trustees that the administration recommends the board not approve the change because the addition of high school grades would “have significant long term implications,” including reduced enrollment at existing high schools, fiscal impacts on district operations and additional staffing and program requirements for high school coursework and extracurricular offerings.

"Because of the requirements of the high school, because of the requirements of the teaching staff and licensure for the high school ... we firmly believe that the addition of high school grades is not simply an expansion of their program, but a new charter school," Doctor Green said.

Trustee James moved and Trustee Frank seconded a motion that the board deny the application; the board voted in favor with no nays recorded during the roll call portion of the meeting. The district said it will notify the charter authorizer board and Ambition Prep of the board’s decision and will coordinate next steps with legal and administrative advisors.

The superintendent also asked the board to consider an unrelated option agreement in executive session; trustees agreed to take that matter up in closed session later in the meeting.