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Board reviews proposed policy changes on pre‑K entry, scholar IDs and a first‑time drug offender program
Summary
JPS administration proposed amendments and new policies covering pre‑K age and toilet‑training requirements, scholar identification badges and a first‑time drug offender program that prioritizes education and counseling over immediate expulsion for small quantity offenses.
At the Aug. 13 meeting the Jackson Public School District administration presented a set of recommended policy amendments and newly proposed policies for board review.
Amendments included policy JVA (school‑age and entry requirements) with a proposed minimum age for pre‑K enrollment and the addition of a toilet training requirement prior to attending preschool or kindergarten; administrators said the toilet‑training expectation is intended to preserve instructional time and address hygiene and safety concerns. The administration also proposed correcting a prior wording change in the district’s parent and family engagement policy to restore the statutory reference to the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The administration recommended two new policies: JCDBAA (scholar identification badges) to require visible ID badges for scholars on campus and school buses to enhance safety and JCDAACC (first‑time drug offender program) to offer eligible scholars an alternative to immediate expulsion. Assistant superintendent Marshall Thomas described the drug‑offender program as targeting small quantities (for example THC vapes or small amounts of marijuana), pairing Saturday education and counseling sessions for students and parents, and providing referrals and community supports to address underlying causes such as depression and stress. Staff emphasized the program would not replace criminal legal processes when applicable and would not apply to cases involving large quantities or distribution.
Board members asked how the policies would be communicated and taught to students; administrators said training and rollout would follow board approval and that cross‑referencing with exceptional‑education and Montessori policies would be added to clarify exceptions (for example, IEP‑required 3‑year‑old placements).
