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Board approves renaming Powell Middle School to Samuel Manuel Brinkley Middle School after alumni appeals
Summary
After two public commenters urged restoration of the Brinkley name, the Jackson Public School District board approved an administration recommendation to rename John Henry Powell Middle School to Samuel Manuel Brinkley Middle School; board discussion said transportation zones will not change and costs are limited to signage and uniforms.
Public commenters and alumni urged the board to restore the Brinkley name before trustees approved the administration’s recommendation to rename John Henry Powell Middle School to Samuel Manuel Brinkley Middle School. Cornelius Thompson, president of the Berkeley Alumni Association, told the board the change "would be a total travesty to not use the name Samuel Brinkley" and framed it as a community and historical restoration. An alumna introduced by the association, Ruby Futch, described personal memorabilia and the school's importance to former students and staff.
Administration presentation and board response: Dr. Buchanan (assistant superintendent for middle school operations) explained the recommendation and answered operational questions raised in submitted public questions. Buchanan said there would be no change to attendance zones or bus routes and that costs tied to the name change are limited to signage, uniforms and related school identity items; the district will add the vacated building to a repurposing initiative for future uses.
Vote: Board member Frank moved to approve the information-action recommendation; the motion was seconded by Lee and approved by voice vote with no recorded nays. The board also discussed next steps to update school improvement plans and notify the Mississippi Department of Education for any required name changes in the state system.
