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Board approves multiple contracts, leases and financial report; rescinds prior Chastain repurposing approval to continue negotiations
Summary
Trustees approved amended service and partnership agreements, recruitment incentives, several leases and the district’s preliminary monthly financial report; they also rescinded a previous action on Chastain Middle School to continue negotiations with Redeemer Church.
The Jackson Public School District Board of Trustees approved a bundle of administrative actions at its meeting, including service agreements, a university partnership, recruitment incentives, lease agreements and the monthly financial report. Trustees also voted to rescind a previous approval related to the repurposing of Chastain Middle School so the district can continue negotiations with Redeemer Church.
Key actions approved by the board
- Amended service agreement with Reconstruction U.S., Inc.: The board approved an amendment to the agreement to provide reading support services for third‑grade scholars. The administration said the program is underwritten by the Barksdale Foundation and that $40,000 was previously approved for Reconstruction; the amendment includes an allocation of $3,000 to JPS staff who will work with the program to monitor classroom services. The administration described the $3,000 as an allocation from the previously approved funds. The motion carried by voice vote.
- Renewal of William Carey University as lead partner for the Teach JPS residency program: The board approved William Carey University as a university partner for the Jackson residency program, which the administration said aims to prepare paraprofessionals and teacher assistants to become licensed teachers. Administration noted participants who complete the program will make a three‑year commitment of service to Jackson Public Schools. Motion carried by voice vote (mover and second recorded in the minutes).
- Recruitment incentive addendum for school year 2025–26: Trustees approved an addendum continuing recruitment incentives offered to new teachers in hard‑to‑staff and critical‑need areas, and to CTE positions. The district reported historical program data: since 2019, 229 teachers have received or are receiving the incentive; 35 completed it in full; 33 are currently receiving it and 40 are expected to complete it this summer; 61 teachers were removed from the incentive for varied reasons. Motion carried by voice vote.
- Lease approvals: The board approved lease agreements for three parcels presented by the executive director of assets and property: a lease with S & S Apache Camping Center (University Boulevard parcel), a lease with Eric Baggett (Wilmington Street parcel), and a consent and estoppel agreement with Cannon Property Development LLC. The administration provided brief background descriptions of each lessee. Motions carried by voice vote.
- Monthly financial report, period ended 01/31/2025: The board approved the preliminary monthly financial report. Highlights presented by the executive director of business services included a general fund balance that was about $8 million greater than the same period last fiscal year; revenues year‑to‑date were approximately $9 million less than expenditures for the fiscal year to date; 16th‑section revenue collected was $719,000 (about 72% of budget); management reported $9.1 million in drawdown requests pending as of Feb. 12. The administration discussed monitoring of federal grant signals and partner funding risks. Motion carried by voice vote.
- Rescission of prior approval related to Chastain Middle School repurposing: The board rescinded its Sept. 3, 2024 approval of a recommended disposal method for Chastain Middle School to allow continued negotiations with Redeemer Church. Administration said a different disposal method may better protect district interests and still preserve Redeemer Church as the priority repurposing partner; negotiations will continue and any purchase or lease agreement would return to the board for final action. Motion to rescind carried by voice vote.
Consent agendas and other routine approvals: Trustees approved consent agenda items for finance, general business and personnel in grouped motions. The meeting concluded without an executive session.
Actions and motions recorded in the meeting minutes were carried by voice vote with “Aye” recorded; the transcript does not provide roll‑call tallies.
