Pascagoula-Gautier board tables proposed move of Jackson Elementary after hours of public comment

The Pascagoula-Gautier School District Board of Trustees on a special-called meeting heard a superintendent recommendation to relocate Jackson Elementary students and staff to nearby Cherokee Elementary for the 2026–2027 school year, then voted to table the matter until the board's regular meeting on Monday.

The superintendent presented the district's evaluation, saying the district periodically reviews facilities to ensure student safety, instructional stability and equity. She said Jackson serves about 175 students, of whom 33 are zoned for other schools, and that Cherokee — less than a mile away — has capacity to receive Jackson students and most instructional staff. The presentation noted Jackson's entrance and layout present distinct access-control and safety challenges compared with other campuses and that structural upgrades to meet district expectations would be costly.

The superintendent framed the proposal as an opportunity to repurpose the Jackson campus for expanded district and community programs — such as an enlarged adult learning center and targeted supports for students who need structured environments — and emphasized the district solicited surveys and stakeholder meetings. "Family understanding and community trust are priorities in this process," she said, adding that the district would aim to move staff with students and approach any personnel impacts "with care and planning" and that "not one school employee will lose his or her job," according to the transcript.

Parents and staff who spoke during an extended public-comment period urged the board to keep Jackson open. Multiple speakers described Jackson as a close-knit, high-performing community school and said moving students would disrupt relationships and students' emotional well‑being. One parent pleaded, "Keep Jackson Elementary open," while others raised concerns about increased traffic at Cherokee, the difficulty of merging staff teams, and the psychological impact on children.

Candace Hatton, Cherokee Elementary's secretary, told Jackson families, "We are a family, too ... we will do whatever we need to do to make y'all feel at home," offering an explicit welcome if a move occurs. Carly Riding, the district school nurse, recalled a prior, successful transition in the district and said she believed the two staffs could integrate effectively.

Board members addressed public worry that the decision had been preordained. A board member said the superintendent had been asked to gather data and return recommendations, that all survey results were reviewed, and that decisions will be made publicly. The board repeatedly pledged transparency and stressed that, if the relocation moves forward, it would not increase class sizes or reduce student services. The board also said it would not market or demolish the Jackson property as part of the immediate plan.

District staff and a facilities-related staffer supported the board’s point about building layout: an IT technician who visits multiple campuses said Jackson's doors and classroom access are harder to enter than most other district sites, underscoring the access-control issues the presentation cited.

Formal action at the meeting was procedural. Board members moved and seconded a motion to table the superintendent's recommendation until Monday's regularly scheduled board meeting; the motion carried on a voice vote with all saying "Aye" and no opposition recorded.

What happens next: the board will discuss and vote on the recommendation in public at its upcoming regular meeting. The superintendent and staff will have additional time to provide requested details on survey responses, staffing implications, traffic and safety upgrade cost estimates, and transition plans before the board takes a decision.