Jackson Madison County School System Superintendent Dr. Marlon King, left, receives a plaque from Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents Executive Director Gary Lilly after being named the 2025 Southwest Tennessee Regional Superintendent of the Year (Photo from JMCSS)
NASHVILLE –The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents released the following statement
announcing Dr. Marlon King as the 2025 Southwest Tennessee Regional Superintendent of the Year on
September 12, 2024:
The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) is honored to announce that Dr. Marlon
King has been named the 2025 Southwest Tennessee Regional Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Gary
Lilly, TOSS Executive Director, attended the Jackson Madison County School System’s Board of
Education meeting on September 12, 2024, to honor King and present him with an honorary plaque.
Dr. King is one of eight Regional Superintendents of the Year selected for this honor, which included
Kelly Johnson (Clinton City Schools), East; Matt Hixson (Hawkins County Schools), First; Jason Golden
(Williamson County Schools), Mid-Cumberland; Eddie Pruett (Gibson County Special School District),
Northwest; Michael Adkins (Lawrence County Schools), South Central; Dr. Linda Cash (Bradley
County Schools); and Patrick Cripps (DeKalb County Schools), Upper Cumberland Tennessee.
Dr. King is entering his fifth year as the superintendent of Jackson Madison County School System
(JMCSS). Previously, King was superintendent in Fayette County Public Schools, executive director for
the Southwest Region CORE Office for the Tennessee Department of Education, and superintendent of
Haywood County Schools. In total, he has fourteen years of experience as a superintendent in Tennessee.
When asked what Jackson Madison County School System initiatives he was most proud of, King stated,
“I am incredibly proud of the innovative work happening in Jackson-Madison County Schools,
particularly through our JASA (Jackson Academic STEM Academy - homeschool/cyberschool program)
and the Malesus STEM Innovation Center. JASA has not only expanded educational access through
flexible online learning but has also gained national recognition with its esports program, where our
students are excelling at the highest levels. Equally, the Malesus STEM Innovation Center is preparing
our students in the middle grades for the workforce with real-world skills in STEM fields, ensuring they
have a competitive edge in tomorrow’s job market. These programs are truly transforming the
educational experience for our students and setting them up for remarkable futures.”
When asked about his nomination as the Southwest Tennessee Regional Superintendent of the Year,
King stated, “It is a tremendous honor to represent the Southwest Region as Superintendent of the Year.
Our district's success is rooted in the support and involvement of our community. From parents and
businesses to civic organizations, everyone plays a role in helping our students achieve their full potential.
As a Regional Superintendent of the Year, I want to shine a spotlight on how vital these partnerships
have been to our growth and the impact we are making together. This recognition is a testament to the
collective dedication of our team, our community, and, most importantly, our students. I am deeply
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grateful to my colleagues across the region for the incredible work they do for students every day and
for their trust in selecting me to represent our region. Together, we are raising the bar for educational
excellence, and I am proud to stand alongside such passionate and committed educators.”
Dr. King is married to his wife, Latisha King, who is a middle school teacher, and together they have a
son, Hudson, who is a JMCSS student. In his spare time, Dr. King enjoys running and reading a variety
of genres, as well as spending as much time as possible on the beach.
The winner of the 2025 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year Award will be announced at the TOSS
Banquet on September 15, 2024.
The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) is the leading advocate organization
for public education in the state of Tennessee. Since 1975, TOSS has been progressing public
education and addressing the needs of its administrators. TOSS provides advocacy at the state level for
education issues that are high priorities for Tennessee schools, and is comprised of district leaders
who are committed to lifelong learning, best practice sharing, and continuous improvement.