Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards makes his case today for an extension of his contract. The JPS Board of Trustees voted Dec. 7 not to renew Edwards’ contract, which started in 2008. Under state law, superintendents can appeal initial decisions on their contracts and request a hearing before the board.
Edwards has requested that his hearing be open to the public. It begins at 9 a.m. today in the board’s meeting room at 621 S. State St.
The board’s original vote on Edwards’ contract was 3-1, with Board President Kisiah Nolan and members Monica Gilmore-Love and George Schimmel voting not to renew. Otha Burton cast the lone vote in opposition, and Ivory Phillips was absent. With the addition of two newly-confirmed members, Tim Collins and Linda Rush, the outcome of a second vote on Edwards’ contract is not certain.
Board Attorney Dorian Turner said that she did not expect the hearing to finish today and that all parties involved would have to schedule additional days after consulting their own calendars.
Attorney and former mayor Dale Danks, who is representing Edwards, did not return a call for comment.
Recent Immigration Stories
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.