Dr. Wesley Johnson named chief portfolio officer for Jackson Madison County Schools

Dr. Wesley Johnson, principal of Kirby Middle School, has been introduced as the new chief portfolio officer for Jackson Madison County Schools (JMCSS).

Johnson told an interviewer he began his career as a third- and fourth-grade teacher and later worked as a literacy instructional coach. He said he served at Promise Academy Charter School and Star Academy Charter School, created and filled a role called Dean of Instruction and Culture, and became a school leader before his current assignment at Kirby Middle School.

Asked about his portfolio responsibilities, which the interviewer described as overseeing nontraditional schools — including magnet, virtual, STEM and charter programs — Johnson said the district will treat the recently authorized charter schools as part of its family of options. "The 4 schools that JMCS authorized are a part of our family," he said.

Johnson emphasized that community attention should be on school quality rather than the number of schools. "The talk now is not about quantity of schools, but the quality of schools that you are currently managing or overseeing," he said, adding that JMCSS has aimed to maintain quality as it grows its nontraditional offerings.

Johnson framed his appointment as a homecoming and expressed gratitude to the district for supporting his development: "I would not be where I am today if it was not for JMCSS," he said. He closed by restating his commitment: "My name is Doctor Wesley Johnson, and I choose JM CSS." The interview offers the district's first public outline of how the new chief portfolio officer views oversight of charter and other nontraditional schools.