Jackson-Madison County school board passes anti-voucher resolution, moving central office

A resolution against Gov. Bill Lee's voucher program and relocating the school board's central office were points of contention at Thursday night's Jackson-Madison County School Board meeting.

In a 6-3 vote with minimal discourse, the school board passed a resolution opposing Lee's Education Freedom Scholarship Act.

Proposed by Lee in November 2023, the act aims to expand school choice for parents through the provision of state-administered vouchers.

When the Jackson Madison County School System's Legislative Committee met in December, concerns were raised over the voucher's seemingly incomplete framework.

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From that point, the discussion has been whether JMCSS should take a proactive or reactive response to the governor's voucher proposal.

The resolution cites 12 points of opposition, noting "the detrimental impacts these programs will have on our students, schools, and community by diverting public dollars away from public schools."

Various education agencies and more than 50 school districts in the state have opposed the voucher program.

Under the act, approximately $7,075 in scholarship funds would be given annually to families as part of an Education Savings Account (ESA).

About 20,000 scholarships would be open to students for the 2024-25 school year if the legislation passes, half of which are designated for families at 300% or below the federal poverty threshold.

The remaining 10,000 scholarships would be for what the act describes as an all-encompassing pool of students entitled to attend public school.

Universal eligibility for the program is anticipated by the 2025-26 school year.

As of Wednesday, the bill sits in the hands of the Senate's Finance, Ways and Means Committee. It remains unclear if and when it will go to a final vote.

Those who voted in favor of the resolution, like Sherry Franks, District 5, Position 1, say it raises concerns over disparities that have yet to be explained.

"They still haven't addressed 'How are you going to deal with special needs?' How are you going to deal with any kind of diversity? How are you going to deal with accountability? How are you going to do your testing? How are you going to work through those things," Franks said during a December meeting.

Gaugh, who voted against the resolution says her vote doesn't exactly reflect opposition.

"It's not that I'm against or for it, but until I have paperwork saying what it is, then I'll make up my mind," she said.

Marcia Moss, District 5, Position 2 and Harvey Walden, District 4, Position 1 also voted against the resolution.

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Selling the school district's central office

Passing with a 7-2 vote (Gaugh and Walden opposed), board members disputed the memorandum of understanding for the "sale" of their central office to the Madison County government.

For more than 30 years, the school system has operated out of its location at 310 North Parkway, a building owned by the county.

In 2021, discussion began of moving the central office to instead occupy the Madison Academic building, formerly Jackson High School.

Superintendent Marlon King says this is to better centralize JMCSS services and minimize the number of offices.

The county commission previously passed a unanimous vote in support of the district's request to move offices and believed they could use it once JMCSS relocates.

JMCSS Attorney Dale Thomas described it as a quick claim of whatever interest in the property the district has, meaning that the county will pay JMCSS $2 million to vacate.

Janice Hampton, District 6, Position 1, expressed concerns over the lack of public input made in the decision.

"It's very questionable to some of the constituents in our district, whereas they feel like they don't have a say so into what we are doing with taxpayers money," she said.

Hampton asked King to comment on the alleged lack of community input, despite board meetings being open for the public to attend and sign up to comment.

"Having multiple wrap-around services in this location would offer not only your community, your constituents in that area, but the entire Jackson-Madison County additional support as we try to educate children," King said.

Gaugh made a motion to table the board's vote on the memorandum, stating that questions still need to be answered. The motion failed 5-4.

Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here.

Vivian Jones and Melissa Brown contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson-Madison County school board passes anti-voucher resolution