Haywood County Teacher Dismissed

Haywood County School board’s private meeting yields teacher dismissal

But who is the teacher?

February 19, 2013

The Haywood County School Board has fired a tenured schoolteacher, and the school board’s lawyer says the system isn’t required to release the employee’s name. The action came Tuesday afternoon during a called meeting of the Haywood County School Board that was conducted mostly behind closed doors.

School Board Chairman Harold Garrett recessed the 3:00 pm public meeting to an "executive session" of the board. Garrett refused to allow a reporter to attend the executive session, which was conducted privately in another room, apparently with the school system’s attorney in attendance.

The board resumed their meeting about twenty minutes later and voted unanimously to "dismiss a teacher." The motion to fire did not include the teacher’s name. After the meeting Chairman Garrett told Brownsville Radio that school system attorney Jennifer Craig told board members their private meeting was within the law, and not disclosing the teacher’s identity was also appropriate. Craig is affiliated with a Jackson Tennessee law firm.

School Superintendent Teresa Russell told the board she was charging the teacher with conduct unbecoming the teaching profession, insubordination and neglect of duty.

Board members said they also discussed other legal matters with their lawyer, but did not disclose the subjects.

Elementary and Middle School Open Enrollment, Magnet School and Registration

Elementary and Middle School Open Enrollment, Magnet School and Registration Meeting for the 2013-2014 school year Thursday, February 21, 2013 at JSCC McWherter Building Ayers Auditorium

A meeting for parents of students who will be attending grades K -8 for the 2013-2014 school year and students currently enrolled in high school that are interested in the open enrollment and/or magnet school process will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2013, at Jackson State Community College in the McWherter Building in the Ayers Auditorium at 5:30 p.m.

Elementary and Middle School open enrollment and magnet applications were made available beginning Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at each public elementary and middle school, online at www.jmcss.org and at the Board of Education School Service Center offices located at 310 North Parkway between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This will be the first parent information meeting for the elementary and middle school open enrollment and magnet school options. This meeting will offer parents information on the open enrollment process and magnet school process that is being offered for their students.

The application deadline for Elementary and Middle School Open Enrollment options is Thursday, February 28, 2013. Jackson-Madison County School System will operate one magnet school program for grades K-8 for the 2013-2014 school year, that will be the Montessori School at Bemis, all other schools are available for students to apply to attend as open enrollment schools.

For more information on registration, open enrollment, magnet programs or school zones, log onto www.jmcss.org or contact Mrs. Kimberly Butler at (731) 664-2532.

Suspects Arrested In Club Assault

(SHERIFF’S OFFICE) On or about February 16, 2013, at approximately 2:10 AM, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the Up North Club, located at 3883 Hwy. 45 North, Jackson, TN.

The investigation revealed that the victim, Sydney Thomas, was attempting to leave the club when he was approached and pushed into the ladies restroom by three (3) black males. While in the restroom, Mr. Thomas was assaulted and robbed by the suspects.

The suspects were attempting to leave when they were apprehended in the parking lot by the deputies. Deputies located a loaded Kimber.45 caliber handgun in the suspect’s vehicle. The investigation further revealed that the handgun had been stolen from an Aggravated Burglary case in Hardin County, Tennessee.

Investigators formally charged the following individuals:

1. Terence Jamal Robinson, age 24, of 52 Robin Lane, Jackson, TN, with Assault, Robbery, Theft of Property (2 counts) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon;
2. Octavis Antwaine Cole, age 26, of 141 McCory Street, Jackson, TN, with Assault, Robbery, Theft of Property (2 counts) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon;
3. Antonio Lavon Anderson, age 26, of 20 Red Hawk Drive, Jackson, TN with Assault, Robbery, Theft of Property (2 counts) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Antonio Antonio Anderson is on parole with Probation and Parole with the State of Tennessee.

Terrence Jamal Robinson, Octavis Antwaine Cole, and Antonio Lavon Anderson appeared for arraignment in General Sessions Court, Division 1 this morning. Terrence Robinson and Octavis Cole’s bond was set at $50,000 each. Antonio Anderson’s bond was set at $75,000 due to being on parole with the Probation and Parole Department.

The preliminary hearings have been scheduled for March 7, 2013 at 1:00 PM in General Sessions Court, Division 1.

Food Stamp Fraud Investigation

For the past several months, Jackson Police Department Investigators from the Jackson-Area Law Enforcement Retailer Team (J-ALERT) have been working with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the United States Secret Service in an ongoing joint Food Stamp (EBT) Fraud Investigation.

Jackson Police Department Officers and Investigators joined the USDA OIG, Secret Service Agents and Madison County Deputies to serve search warrants at Another Super Duper Spot Market at 301 West King and a residence on Odell Road in Madison County seeking additional evidence in this investigation.

“I cannot comment specifically on items taken at this time. As stated, this is an ongoing investigation. There were no arrests today. At the conclusion of the investigation and in consultation with the US Attorney’s Office and District Attorney General Woodall’s Office there will be a determination if and who to charge in connection with the fraud.” (Holt)

The suspected fraud in this case primarily involves trafficking in food stamps where EBT cards were being purchased for a much reduced amount from consumers then redeemed for the full amount to the USDA.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or this type of crime in Jackson, please call the J-ALERT Investigators at 425-8584 or 425-8458 or Crime Stoppers at 424-8477