11-07-2025
Jackson-Madison superintendent offers alternative to charter school proposal
Jackson-Madison County School System Superintendent Marlon King recommends a proposed "school within a school" model for Jackson Museum School, rather than a standalone charter school.
King proposed, in his report at the July 7 school board work session, that JMS could operate under the district's umbrella much like the Star Academy STEM school, for example.
The charter school's application was initially denied by the school board, 8-1, with stipulations on April 30.
Jackson Museum School, led by founder and CEO Jean Little, was granted 30 days to submit an amended application to be voted on a second time by the board at the upcoming July 10 meeting.
If denied again, Little reserves the option to appeal the decision to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, which has the power to uphold or overturn JMCSS's decision, if denied.
More: Jackson-Madison County school board tables decision on museum charter school
More: Jackson's newest K-6 charter school applicant: 'I see a need and I think I can meet it'
Previously, in October 2023, the state charter commission overruled JMCSS's denial of American Classical Education's application, granting a path forward for Madison Classical Academy to be established in Jackson.
At the July 7 work session, King noted that on June 3, ACE voluntarily terminated its agreement to open a charter school in Jackson-Madison County.
Vivian Williams, deputy superintendent and JMCSS Charter Review Committee Chair, presented the committee's report at the work session.
Ahead of her comments, King outlined his rationale about why he believes the board should consider a school-within-a-school model for JMS rather than approving the amended application for the proposed independent charter school.
Charter schools is Tennessee are permitted to appoint its own board of education to operate as an independent body, but also must follow state academic standards.
In his report of recommendation, King pointed to the "persistent gaps" in JMS's proposal, describing it as "the promise and perils of charter schools."
"When I drive through this community, and you see children out, and you think that we're responsible for these children on the street having fun, we're responsible in the decisions that we make in our education system," King said.
Little shared that she was unaware that King would be presenting his report to the board.
"In response, I currently lack detailed information on what the 'school within a school' proposal would entail. However, my initial thought is that if our application and model are robust enough for such a partnership, they should also suffice for local authorization," Little said.
Among the most pressing concerns addressed by King are JMS's lack of a facility, the absence of a transportation plan, starting base salaries for teachers of $50,000, minimal staff positions beyond classroom teachers, and a technology allocation of only $150 per device.
Speaking to the lack of a designated facility for the future school, Little previously mentioned that despite having several options for a building, they cannot sign a lease until granted local authorization by the board to establish their school.
"While I have no comment on the specific details of the concerns, I am always happy to provide clarification and answers to board members as they make their decision," Little said. "I aim to provide them with factual information to consider thoroughly."
King suggested that, rather than the board approving JMS as a standalone school, establishing a partnership with JMS could look like something that already exists elsewhere in the school system.
"My suggestion is, as we have done [with] everything else, putting guardrails and safeguards around the children, like we did with Star Academy," King said.
"I think that we work with the museum school, but they become a school within a school, so you don't have to worry about a location, you don't have to worry about transportation."
In September 2024, North Parkway Middle School launched a school-within-a-school model, welcoming the implementation of Star Academy into JMCSS.
The program allows students who have fallen behind or learn best in non-traditional settings to be provided a STEM-centered curriculum to re-engage students to reach success.
King used Star Academy as an example of what could potentially be a blueprint for Jackson Museum School to establish itself in the community.
While emphasizing that the district supports having choices, he described the school-within-a-school model as JMCSS "having guardrails in place."
"When we think about choices, we're not against choices, but it is our responsibility as the board and as the office of the superintendent, and we owe it to the taxpayers that we have to think about all that people don't realize we have to think about," King said.
The district review committee is comprised of 10 members, ranging from JMCSS staff to community members.
They are tasked with evaluating a charter school's application by the Tennessee Department of Education's rubric standards.
On July 7, Williams says that in reviewing the amended application, several areas of concern still present themselves, despite meeting most of the criteria set by the state.
In the academic plan and design section, she noted that the committee identified six areas that met or exceeded requirements and two that partially met.
The committee found five areas that met or exceeded standards and two that were partially met in its operations plan and capacity section.
In its financial plan and capacity section, one area met or exceeded standards, and one was partially met.
"Although [after] a thorough and comprehensive review of the Jackson Museum School's charter amended application, we found that the application met most of the Tennessee Department of Education criteria outlined in the state's evaluation rubric, along with this criteria, in most areas, we still feel the application presents significant areas of concern," Williams said.
The board will vote on a resolution to either approve or deny JMS's amended application at the next board meeting on July 10.
During the April 30 board meeting, school board member Glen Gaugh, District 2, asked Little if she plans to submit an appeal if denied, to which she responded "yes."
If Little appeals, the state charter commission has the ultimate authority to reverse or overrule the board's decision. However, she says she still remains hopeful that local authorization can be granted.
Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson superintendent King talks concerns over museum charter school
