Policy Violations of the Jackson Madison County School Board?
Following Monday night’s special called JMC school board meeting, questions arose about the action of hiring a consultant.
As a result an investigation by In the Newsroom has lead to a finding of school board policy violations by board action. The agenda for the special called meeting Agenda: APPROVAL OF AGENDA DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL STIMULUS PROJECT/JACKSON CENTRAL- MERRY HIGH AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL STIMULUS PROJECT/SCHOOL REPAIRS AND ANY NECESSARY BOARD ACTION The question was whether to request Madison County Mayor Harris to seek Fed Stimulus money for a new school and or school repairs. The board voted on a motion to not only do that but: • To hire a consultant • To hire ex-superintendent Roy Weaver as the consultant • To pay him a salary to be determined The actions taken by the board violated their own policies Policy 1.400: … Only business related to the call of the meeting, and details related to agenda items shall be discussed or transacted by the Board at a special meeting Policy 1.403: … Board members may not add items to the agenda at the meeting that have not been discussed with the director of schools. Policy 1.303: - Before engaging any consultant, the Board will require submission of a written proposal… The proposal will detail: 1. The specific objectives to be accomplished by the consultant; 2. The specific tasks to be performed; 3. The procedures to be used in carrying out the tasks; 4. The target dates for the completion of tasks; and 5. The method to be used to report results to the Board and/or to deliver any “product” to the Board. The director of schools will establish procedures necessary to develop an efficient working relationship between the consultant and the Board and/or staff members. The board also discussed placing Mr. Weaver in the Central Office, and providing him with staff to assist him. Instructed Dr. Zambito to contact City Councilman Harvey Buchanan about properties in the JCM area.- The public was not properly informed that any such action was to be considered
- The Director of Schools was not informed of the items prior to the meeting.
- A Consultant was not properly hired per established Board Policy.