Board Briefs, Volume 34, Issue 21

Board
Volume 34, Issue 21
JPS SCHOOL BOARD:
Dr. Otha Burton, Jr.
President
Mr. Timothy D. Collins
Vice President
Ms. Beneta Burt
Secretary
Ms. Monica Gilmore-Love
Member
Ms. Kisiah W. Nolan
Member
Mr. Jed H. Oppenheim
Member
Ms. Linda Rush
Member
Dr. Cedrick Gray
Superintendent
Ms. JoAnne Shepherd
JPS Counsel
Ms. Dorian Turner
Board Counsel
Ms. Vikki Mumford
Secretary to the Board
Briefs
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
May 20, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Otha Burton, President, opened the May 20, 2014, regular meeting of the
Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Zion Wood, an eighth grade student at Northwest International Baccalaureate Middle School, led the
Pledge of Allegiance for the May 20, 2014, Board
meeting, in both English and Spanish. Selected Mr.
Eighth Grade, Wood is described as a charismatic
school leader. He discovered his love for acting after
starring in the play “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie
Apocalypse.” Wood is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and has made the honor roll for
multiple terms. He is also in the drama club and plays
on the football and soccer teams. He looks forward to
studying theatre and performance at the University of California, Los Angeles.
His parents, Robert and Christi Woods, were recognized along with Principal
Chinelo Evans.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Rev. Edward Hightower gave the Prayer of Invocation.
Rev. Hightower is the pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist
Church in Morton, MS. He was born and educated in
Drew, MS, and was baptized at Pilgrims Rest Baptist
Church where he served as a youth. He accepted his
call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1972 and
attended Missouri Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev.
Hightower attended Alcorn College before he enlisted
and served in the Army for 30 years. His service in the
armed forces allowed him to travel to many cities in
the United States. He had three tours of duty in Vietnam and spent time in Berlin, West Germany. While still on active duty in the
military, he pastored a church in Minneapolis, MN.
Board member Monica Gilmore-Love presented certificates of appreciation to
Zion Wood and Rev. Edward Hightower for their participation in the meeting.
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JPS BOARD MEETINGS:
The Board of Trustees holds two
regular meetings per month.
The next regular JPS Board
meeting is scheduled for 5:30
p.m. June 10, 2014, in the Board
Meeting Room at 621 South State
Street.
The JPS Board of Trustees
welcomes public comments
regarding policy revisions.
CONTACT THE BOARD:
Jackson Public Schools
School Board Office
662 S. President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
E-mail:
[email protected]
JPS Website:
www.jackson.k12.ms.us
OUTSTANDING PARENTS
Melissa Stokes was recognized as an Outstanding Parent. Stokes is a Lanier High School parent and serves on
the school’s Site Council, Parent Teacher Student Association, and as chair of the band booster club. In addition to these duties, she assists with weekly bus duty,
hall monitoring, and test proctoring.
Watkins Elementary parent Katyna Montgomery was
also recognized as an Outstanding Parent. Montgomery
has served in various volunteer capacities at Watkins for
Melissa Stokes & Dr.
over three years. She has been a field trip volunteer, a
Cedrick Gray
room parent, and more. She has been a
strong supporter of the programs at
the school and the leadership of
Principal Josie Blake. Montgomery
regularly participates in classroom
activities and often reads to students.
JPS Superintendent Dr. Cedrick
Gray presented Outstanding Parent Katyna Montgomery (center), with husband
certificates to Melissa Stokes and Sedrick (left), their two children & Dr. Gray
Katyna Montgomery.
WATCH MEETINGS ON JPS ITV:
Channel 19 Program Schedule
JPS ITV on YouTube
CONNECT WITH JPS ONLINE!
Facebook.com/JacksonPublicSchools
Twitter.com/DrCedrickGray
Glenn Davis, Joe Wade, & Dr. Gray
Jerry Luckett, Tuesday Jones & Dr. Gray
GOLDEN BOWTIE AWARDS
Campus Enforcement Deputy Chief Glenn Davis presented Investigator Joe
Wade with the Superintendent’s Bowtie Award in recognition of his 11 years of
service to Jackson Public Schools. He previously served for 25 years on the Jackson Police Department.
Deputy Chief Jerry Luckett presented Officer Tuesday Jones the Superintendent’s
Bowtie Award for going above and beyond the call of duty. During her regular
patrol duties, she recognized a house on fire and alerted the home’s occupants.
She further assisted in removing one of the residents who was disabled.
Board Briefs, May 20, 2014
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPROVAL OF SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM AGREEMENT
School Board Budget Hearing
The Board of Trustees approved a contract to allow the Food Service Department
to enter into a contract with the City of Jackson, Department of Parks and Recreation to provide vended meals to their various locations throughout the city of
Jackson during the summer months.
The Board of Trustees of Jackson
Public Schools will hold a public
hearing on its proposed school
district budget for fiscal year 2014–
2015 on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at
4 p.m. in the School Board Meeting
Room located at 621 South State
Street.
JPS Parent Survey
Parents, please take time to help us
improve. Your answers to the 20132014 Parent Survey will help us to
determine your level of satisfaction
with Jackson Public Schools. Please
complete this survey by Friday, June
14, 2014. Questions about the
survey can be e-mailed to Sherwin
Johnson, Executive Director of Public
and Media Relations.
JPS High School Graduations and
DVD Orders
Families of recent JPS high school
graduates may still purchase DVDs of
their ceremonies for $10 each. JPS
Partners in Education is accepting
DVD orders now. Pre-purchased
DVDs will be available to pick up
from Partners in Education until June
28, 2014. For more information, call
(601) 960-8905.
The City of Jackson, Department of Parks and Recreation, will operate summer
programs at several of their sites and several Jackson Public School sites. Many
of the City of Jackson sites cannot prepare food, therefore the City of Jackson
requested to enter a contract with JPS to provide lunches and snacks for children
throughout the City of Jackson.
APPROVAL OF SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM FOR DISTRICT SITES
The Board of Trustees granted approval to allow the Food Service Department to
operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in the District from June 2 July 18, 2014. Serving time will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday through
Friday.
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Blackburn Middle, 1311 West Pearl Street
Boyd Elementary, 4531 Broadmeadow Drive
Brown Elementary, 146 East Ash Street
Chastain Middle, 4650 Manhattan Road
Clausell Elementary, 3330 Harley Street
Galloway Elementary, 186 Idlewild Street
Key Elementary, 699 West McDowell Road
Lake Elementary, 472 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Lee Elementary, 330 Judy Drive
Powell Middle, 3655 Livingston Road
Provine High, 2400 Robinson Road
Woodville Heights Elementary, 2930 McDowell Road
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH RENAISSANCE LEARNING
The Board of Trustees approved Renaissance Learning as a consultant to provide
professional development to 63 principals and 60 assistant principals in the
Jackson Public School District. The training will focus on using learning progressions to escalate proficient implementation of common core standards and
increase rates of success in standards-based instruction.
APPROVAL OF THE MCKINNEY-VENTO PROGRAM
The Board of Trustees granted approval for the McKinney-Vento Education for
Homeless Children and Youth Program for the 2014-2015 School Year. The
McKinney-Vento program is designed to address the problems that homeless
children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.
Under this program, Mississippi educational agencies must ensure that each
homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public
education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth.
Board Briefs, May 20, 2014
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPROVAL OF THE MCKINNEY-VENTO PROGRAM (Continued)
District-wide Closure
Homeless children and youth should have access to the educational and other services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging Mississippi student academic achievement standards to which all students are held. In addition,
homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment. States and districts are required to review and undertake steps to revise
laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment,
attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youth.
The administrative offices of Jackson
Public Schools will be closed July 1–
4, 2014. The Summer Feeding
Program will be closed July 4 only.
Regular office hours will resume
Monday, July 7.
Online Registration
Jackson Public Schools has adopted
the Infosnap online registration
program. Returning students begin
registration July 14. For more info,
visit www.jackson.k12.ms.us.
JPS Summer Feeding Program
The JPS Food Service Department
provides free lunches at 12 school
sites through the Summer Feeding
Program. The program operates
from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Mon.–Fri.,
throughout the summer until July
18, 2014. The program serves youths
18 and under. The Summer Feeding
Program will be closed July 4.
JPS Summer Reading
The Jackson Public Schools Summer
Reading Program is underway and
continues until students return to
school in August. All JPS students in
grades K–12 are required to read at
least three books and complete a
reading log for each. To learn more,
visit the JPS Summer Reading List
page.
Board Briefs, May 20, 2014
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY GACD–CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Policy GACD–Conflict of Interest was presented for approval. This policy outlines what is considered as conflict of interest is necessitated by audit findings in
state and federal programs to prohibit conflicts of interest in contracts supported
by federal funds. Approval of this policy will assist the District in achieving its
goal of attracting and retaining quality teachers and administrators and the implementation and maintenance of strategic planning.
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY GBF–PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Office of District Counsel recommended the approval of revisions to Policy
GBF–Professional Development. The committee on policies and procedures reviewed the District’s existing policy in March 2014 and determined that the current policy required revisions to ensure alignment with Standard 21 of Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards (2012), which requires that the District
implement professional development programs aligned with the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning. The revisions to Policy GBF will improve the accreditation standing at each of the District’s schools.
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY IDAA–GIFTED EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Office of District Counsel recommended the approval of revisions to Policy
IDAA Gifted Education Program. The committee on gifted education reviewed
the existing policy in March 2014 and determined that the current policy required
revisions to include the two additional documents that provide information on the
statutory basis and support for gifted education in the State of Mississippi. The
Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) requires that school districts adopt a
policy regarding gifted education to ensure that gifted children who demonstrate
unusually high potential are identified and offered an appropriate education based
upon their exceptional abilities. The revisions to Policy IDAA will ensure the
District is meeting all requirements for Standard 23.9 for accreditation purposes.
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
2014–2015 District Calendar
August 12, 2014 – Teachers Report/
Convocation/Building Level PD
August 13-15, 2014 – Building Level
PD/Classroom Organization
August 18, 2014 – Students Report
(Full day for students)
January 5, 2015 – Winter Break
Ends/Teachers Return
January 6, 2015 – Students Return
June 3, 2015– Second Semester
Ends/Last Day for Students (60% day
for students)
June 4, 2015 – Last Day for Teachers
Inclement Weather Days
The following days will be used for
Inclement Weather Make-Up Days as
needed:
October 13, 2014 – Fall Break
November 24, 2014 – First day of
Thanksgiving Break
April 6, 2015 – Last day of Easter
Break
May 25, 2015 – Memorial Day
The District will delay the start of
school when possible to address
inclement weather. If additional days
are needed, adjustments to the
calendar will be made. For more,
download the JPS Inclement
Weather Procedures (PDF).
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY IGB–GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The Office of District Counsel recommended the approval of revisions to Policy
IGB–Graduation Requirements. The committee on graduation requirements reviewed the existing policy in September 2013 and March 2014 and determined
the District’s current policy required revisions to ensure alignment with Standard
20 of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards (2012). The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) requires that school districts implement
Standard 20 of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards (2012).
The revisions to Policy IGB will improve the accreditation standing at each of the
District’s high schools and will increase the average daily attendance and decrease the truancy of many high school students. These revisions will provide
high school students with more graduation options, ultimately leading to an increase in the District’s overall graduation rate over the years.
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY JCBAAA–USE OF ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
The Board of Trustees granted approved revisions to Policy JCBAAA–Use of
Electronic Device Code of Student Conduct. This policy reflects the Board and
District having authority to discipline students for the use, display or activation
of an electronic device which disrupts the educational process. The unauthorized
use of the wireless communication device capabilities during school hours, the
use of a wireless communication device to commit a crime, or the use of a wireless communication device that disrupts or interferes with the safety-to-life issue
for students being transported on a Jackson Public School District bus, would be
violations of the Code of Student Conduct, subjecting violators to disciplinary
action in accordance with district policy.
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY JKA–CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM
The Office of District Counsel recommended the approval of revisions to Policy
JKA–Credit Recovery. The Office of District Counsel recommended the approval
of revisions to Policy JKA Credit Recovery. The revisions will include State
Board Policy 2905 that requires that school districts implement a credit recovery
program that includes rules, regulations, and processes. The approval of Policy
IGB will improve the accreditation standing at each of the District’s high schools
and will increase the average daily attendance and decrease the truancy of many
high school students. These revisions will provide high school students with more
graduation options, ultimately leading to an increase in the District’s overall
graduation rate over the years.
Board Briefs, May 20, 2014
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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