Call To Action from Superintendent

Message from the Superintendent

Serving in a capacity where your recommendation to a governing body carries immense weight should never be taken lightly. As the leader of JMCSS, I have always ensured that my recommendations are grounded in facts, while upholding principles of fairness and justice.

Recently, Tess Stovall, the Executive Director of the TN Public Charter Commission, has put forth a recommendation (click here) to approve the controversial Hillsdale-affiliated charter schools. It's disheartening to note that the President of the college has demeaned teachers with derogatory remarks. While we have prepared a statement for the Charter Commission's consideration, I cannot remain silent around the indictment without informing our stakeholders, teachers, staff, families, and supporters about some troubling concerns regarding what seems to be unethical and discriminatory actions against JMCSS students and families.

Both Jackson-Madison and Maury Counties’ Boards of Education denied the American Classical Charter Schools, yet the ED is recommending to deny JMCSS Board of Education and Review Committee's recommendation to deny the charter school. Strangely, she recommended accepting the Maury County Board of Education and Review Committee's recommendation to deny the charter when both systems received practically the same application from American Classical Education.

Let me provide some context. The ED cites concerns for special needs students and facility location in Maury County’s application as a basis for denying their charter. However, she has overlooked the same concern around special needs students in Jackson-Madison County’s application. Shouldn't JMCSS special needs students be afforded the same consideration when it comes to providing adequate services? The ED mentions concerns around facilities as a reason for denying the charter for Maury, and there is clear evidence where several charter applications have been denied due to facility concerns. JMCSS had facility concerns cited in the application as a reason for denial, but once again, the ED does not consider this in the recommendation. The Commission provided a rubric for everyone to follow, and it should serve as the equalizer when we think about creating charter schools for Tennessee’s students. Nevertheless, it is evident that JMCSS is not being evaluated by the same metrics as Maury.

This is a CALL TO ACTION.

Your voice, email, or statement must be heard by the Charter Commission and elected officials regarding what is a blatant injustice against JMCSS. Providing varied learning options for families in Jackson-Madison County has been a hallmark for the Board and this administration. Unique options like our cyberschool, Jackson Academic STEAM Academy, as well as Community Montessori, Northeast Middle Academic Academy, and JCM-Early College High have provided families with many choices outside of our traditional educational platforms. While we do value diverse choices for families, we are resolute in our belief that American Classical Academy Madison (ACAM) fails to meet the standards set by the Tennessee Department of Education’s application-scoring rubric. For these reasons, we stand by our Board’s decision to deny the ACAM appeal and ask that the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission honor decisions made by our locally elected officials.

Please contact the Charter Commission

Please contact the Charter Commission to express your disbelief about this recommendation and encourage them to support denying the American Classical Academy Jackson-Madison charter school. Click here for Charter Commission

Respectfully,

Dr. Marlon D. King

Superintendent

Jackson-Madison County Schools