Board approves grants, partnership MOUs and renames Career Development Center for Medgar and Myrlie Evers

The board reviewed several partnership and grant agreements and approved information/action items that expand services and fund specific district programs.

Mental-health MOU: Amanda Thomas presented a memorandum of agreement with DMN Behavioral and Counseling Group LLC to add DMN to the district’s roster of mental‑health providers and provide individual and group therapy services to scholars. "If this agreement is approved, DMN behavioral group will be added to our list of mental health providers," Thomas said.

Consultant renewal: Administration recommended renewing an agreement with Beth Roach, an education consultant, to provide International Baccalaureate primary years leadership support at Obama Elementary.

Community Foundation / Phil Hardin grants: Staff presented a $150,000 grant from the Phil Hardin Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Mississippi to support community-school strategy. Separately, the Phil Hardin Foundation awarded $300,000 ($100,000 per year for three years) to support Jackson Middle College tuition and mandatory fees for scholars enrolled at Jackson State University; the Community Foundation will serve as fiscal agent and waived a 7.5% administrative fee.

OneGoal pilot and Accelerate Mississippi: District leaders described a philanthropic pilot with OneGoal to administer a 15–20 minute postsecondary culture survey to high-school scholars; the pilot year is funded by philanthropy at no cost to the district. Administration also presented a memorandum of understanding with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to participate in the Accelerate Mississippi Career Coach initiative, which funds career coaches’ salaries, benefits, travel, and materials for high schools.

Renaming: The board approved a resolution renaming the Jackson Public Schools Career Development Center to the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Career Development Center; presenters said stakeholder groups including family and community supporters welcomed the change.

Votes and approvals: The board approved the information/action items and consent agendas by motion and voice vote with no nays recorded. Several presenters emphasized community partnerships and immediate supports already being provided under the newly approved agreements.

Next steps: Administration will finalize MOUs and execute agreements, coordinate fiscal-agent responsibilities with the Community Foundation for Mississippi, and proceed with implementation timelines for the funded programs.