Thursday, October 26, 2017

The "Radical Mayor & Conservative Governor" work together to form Coalition

*All JPS School Board members resigned. Dr. Fredderick Murray remains as Interim Superintendent. 

Governor Phil Bryant and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement.


Gov. Bryant Forms Coalition to Develop Collaborative Plan to Improve Jackson Public Schools

JACKSON – Gov. Phil Bryant has formed a coalition that will develop a collaborative, comprehensive plan to improve Jackson Public Schools.

It centers on community involvement, collaborative governance and strategic investments. It does not initiate a state takeover of JPS, though the Mississippi Department of Education's request remains active.

Instead, it brings together JPS stakeholders and forms partnerships with national and local experts, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Education Commission of the States and Mississippi Economic Council.

"The easy thing for me to do would have been approve the state takeover," Gov. Bryant said. "This is a better way forward for the 27,000 students in JPS. The opportunity to form this coalition was too good to pass up. I am grateful for the membership's commitment to bring transformative change to Jackson Public Schools."


As part of the first phase, every current member of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees has resigned. Also included is the formation of a Project Commission, comprised of JPS stakeholders. From there, commissioners and local, state and national partners will engage the community in a series of listening sessions.

"The Governor and I agree that the challenges faced by the Jackson Public School District provide an opportunity to create a new transformative vision for JPS," said Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. "Our children deserve an excellent school district. I am pleased to work together with Governor Bryant and the Kellogg Foundation to create this 'Third Option' for JPS. Many would say that the Governor and my political views represent oppositional poles; however, this collaboration is an excellent demonstration of what I have called 'Operational Unity.'"

Mayor Lumumba continued: "We have come together for the benefit of our children and our community to craft a plan that is not about personality, but about solving real problems to benefit all parties."

With input from ECS, which will share best practices developed from successes in other states, a request for proposals to perform an outside evaluation of the JPS educational ecosystem will be issued. The Kellogg Foundation has agreed to support the commission's discovery efforts, including the outside evaluation and listening sessions.

"Children are our greatest asset and we believe in their hopes, dreams and aspirations," said La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. "Their future makes this work so important and when we stand together in partnership with the governor, mayor, JPS and the community, all in alignment, great things will happen."

The outside evaluation will be informed by school data and the listening sessions. Its findings will drive the development of a plan that addresses key education gaps, alignment of resources, professional development, personnel recommendations, safety considerations and other factors.

The Project Commission will consider the findings and will work with outside organizations to identify existing resources within JPS to apply toward the plan's implementation. Periodic evaluations will then be conducted to ensure JPS stays on the path to success.

Kingfish note: Mayor Lumumba announced at his press conference today  that his office, JPS, Governor Bryant, and the Kellogg Foundation reached an agreement to create an Educational Excellence Advisory Commission that will be comprised of fifteen members.  He said this was a moment where "we looked at our common interests instead of looking at our differences.  This a moment where the radical Mayor and the conservative Governor have worked together to work for the benefit of our children." He issued the following statement.

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good F'in Luck

Anonymous said...

This make a lot of sense and I hope it is successful

Anonymous said...


I CALL "BULL SHIT" !!!!!!!

There is no way to make a difference as long as JPS retains it's upper management. They spend money on things that do not matter to the education system of this city.

Until you get the family structure (MOM & DAD) to teach the kids what is important in life there will be no change. Come on all you absent fathers and a few mothers, it's time to do what is right for your family.

Anonymous said...

is this just a way to drag out even longer the process of getting these kids a decent education? parents and educators need to be on board. if the parents don't care, the kids won't care. if the educators don't care, the kids won't care.

Anonymous said...

Sigh. Fast forward five years. Most of the kids of the current McWillie/APAC Mafia will be at St. Andrew's.

Anonymous said...

This is an interesting strategy that has worked in other areas, most notably, Nashville, TN. It will be a long process for JPS but I wish them well!

Anonymous said...

Seems to me Phil could sign the declaration, allowing the state to clean house, then let his "3rd option" work under the state. Otherwise, I predict no significant changes to the JPS system.

Anonymous said...

It’s going to take someone like Eric Thomas to take over as superintendent for the district to get turned around. YouTube him if you don’t know who he is.

Anonymous said...

Kellog Foundation = George Soros

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/17/kellogg-foundation-delivers-a-shocking-dose-of-leftism-with-your-cereal/

Anonymous said...

Well, there never was a perfect solution to this mess anyway, and the resignation of the school board and new leadership can only be positive. I'm sure the governor was more than aware of the limitations of MDE and the opportunity to fashion something all sides can feel invested in. Without the ax hanging over their heads the board would never have stepped down. So in that regard the threat was very useful. If I read it correctly the gov still has the ax just in case, so a return to the status quo can be prevented. Let's hope this means new emphasis can be placed on parental and community involvement. That's the only way progress is going to be made anyway.

Anonymous said...

This sounds a lot like the same type of format as the 1 Percent Sales Tax Commission (combination of state and local appointees). How's that working out? Go drive on Ridgewood Road for the answer.

Anonymous said...

Lost in all of this is that the entire JPS board had to resign. That is progress not to be taken for granted.

Anonymous said...

Ray Guy never punted better Phil!

Anonymous said...

Bullshit move by Gov. Lacks the cajones to 'do what needs to be done'. Evidently become the new disciple of Derrick Johnson cause this stinks as a way for him and his valorous "non profits" to profit. Could accomplish this by signing the statutory process so that the overblown administration can be cleaned out. Then if he really wanted to do something like his 'third way' he could proceed. Guess he is to charmed by BabyChocks along with Jim and Leland.

Sorry kids you lose again. Sorry Jackson parents and taxpayers - you continue to get zcrewed.

Anonymous said...

The board resigned, that's a good start. The next step has to be culling the central office of unnecessary people and redirecting those funds to the classroom. A listening group isn't necessary. Kingfish outlined it a few weeks ago.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how many former school board members will be part of the Educational Excellence Advisory Commission that will be comprised of fifteen members. 

Anonymous said...

Why are we paying Carey Wright $300k/year if the Governor doesn't trust her to run JPS?

Anonymous said...

This approach makes sense. I mean really, there was no way MDE was going to be able to fix JPS. That was a losing proposition. This might have a chance of working. And if it does it could be a model for future interventions.

Anonymous said...

Kellog Foundation = George Soros

Well, 3:10, Chok-a-blok DID promise to make this the most radical city on the Planet, didn't he? Fits right in.

I'm already tired of the phrase "JPS stakeholder". WTF does that mean? My kids are grown, but I still pay taxes to pay for JPS. LOTS of taxes. That makes me a "stakeholder", right? Or is that just another progressive dogwhistle?

Anonymous said...

Let's see how many concerned parents and citizens show up at these "People's Assemblies." Won't be anywhere near the numbers that were crying about the state taking over because this has never been about the education of children to them.

Anonymous said...

I agree with 2:08pm.

Anonymous said...

Even after failing dismally, the JPS School Board has shown no sense of urgency and done very little for a year as JPS continued to languish. Dr. Murray is clearly not the answer. You need someone to come in and kick ass and take names or a single administrator with the power to make things happen. The "Radical Mayor's" solution is to appoint a "commission" to study, evaluate and get things moving. When has a commission ever accomplished much of anything? The Governor says if they don't accomplish positive movement he will go back and declare the state of emergency. Yet he does not establish any deadlines, time periods, or demanding goals, he just leaves this ethereal threat over their heads. Commissions, committees, watch-dog groups all usually mean well and accomplish little or nothing. I am willing to wait and see but I don't see this as a great step forward if we are serious about solving the problem. Mayor Lumumba you are an exceptionally great speaker, but please do something. I listened to your press conference on your first one hundred days and I thought of the words of that great Philosopher Stevie Wonder. " You Haven't Done Nothing."

Anonymous said...

In other words, another school year that the students in JPS will never get back is now totally lost.

Anonymous said...

Impressive deal for both Bryant and Lumumba. This is a good example of how things should be done in this state.

Anonymous said...

Look on the bright side. Think how many more catered "working" lunches, awards dinners and convention/seminars trips this new plan will create.

Anonymous said...

Another kicking of the can down the road, listening tours, studies, consultants, analyses, yada yada yada in a city that has been stuck navel gazing in the same endless loop for the last two decades.

Anonymous said...

So are they going to do something about the SWAC nepotism?

What are they going to do when they enter certain schools and a student gets super disrespectful? What about when that happens for the 1,000th time? I mean won't the schools act different when the people show up to observe?

Good idea though trying to avoid MDE, at least for now. MDE appears to stink of nepotism too.

Is Cedric Gray going to get any sort of consequences for his actions?

Anonymous said...

As a state taxpayer I would not be in favor of our state taking this on by itself. Would be a colossal boondoggle. Glad to see outside resources contributing.

Anonymous said...

What this is is a big vote of no confidence in MDE

Anonymous said...

5:52 you and I and six people that don’t watch Fox News or CNN all day are in agreement.

Anonymous said...

Leadership. First I’ve seen in this state in the last six years. (How long has Bryant been in office?). Bout time.

Anonymous said...

All Phil did was “kick the can down the road” and punted on this issue for future Governor Tate to handle.

Anonymous said...

@9:58 Laughable. This is the opposite of leadership. The Governor caved to the loudest chortlers instead of following the law and doing what he said he'd do in the first place. Free advice to lobbyists: be the last person in the room room with Flip-Flopping' Phil.

Unknown said...

10*26/17 @ 4:19 said:

"Kellogg Foundation = George Soros

Well, 3:10, Chok-a-blok DID promise to make this the most radical city on the Planet, didn't he? Fits right in.

I'm already tired of the phrase "JPS stakeholder". WTF does that mean? My kids are grown, but I still pay taxes to pay for JPS. LOTS of taxes. That makes me a "stakeholder", right? Or is that just another progressive dogwhistle?"


YES YOU ARE A STAKEHOLDER.

I you want to be part of the solution get involved. You are being invited in. You have standing and a voice. Step up or stand down ,

Just saying. Railing atthe wind never accomplishes anything!

Just saying!

Anonymous said...

Some folks must not eat their Wheaties. What is it about Kellogg and its location in Battle Creek Michigan that escapes you?
Soros has his own foundation and this isn't it.
Your hint of the day is "cereal".
And if some of you knee jerkers look up what a foundation is, you might understand this is a great deal for you and likely the best chance to remove political nonsense and get some creative solutions to a serious problem.
Who knew that when two men from differing parties actually wanted to solve a problem, they could come up with a rational solution? The answer is everyone who is rational and whose mind is open instead of closed!

Anonymous said...

Or is that just another progressive dogwhistle?"

If you blow a progressive dogwhistle Hillary Clinton will show up begging for doggie treats.

Anonymous said...

Today's Clarion Ledger front page headline touts the Governor's decision and the collaborative effort scheduled to be kicked off at a gala ball and parade yet to be announced.

The paper also has a large front page picture of Lumumba at a podium discussing the 'takeover' as if he designed and dreamed it up.

Anonymous said...

Boy, I tell ya! I knew the Rankin Rednecks and Madison Maggots were going to have nothing but negative comments for this here.

Then you got the rabid conservative cynics talking about George Soros is up to no good. Wish you bamas had the same tone when it came to the Koch Brothers.

Lucien Smith, a white fella, gets appointed to run the MSGOP - nothing but praise.

The Governor tries to partner with the Mayor of Jackson on improving education in the city, nothing but cynicism and negativity. Racism at its finest. A few people did try to stay positive, but oh well, the Negative Neds killed it before it even got started.

Mississippi at its finest! A bunch of faux Christians.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi had a course of action designed to address failure in small rural districts. That's the legislatures focus. MDE has not the ability or resources to put a diaper on an elephant and simply "following state law" does not magically solve the problems and help the children of Jackson. In fact to divest these people of their participation in control of the district in no way helps to address the real underlying problem: lack of parental and community involvement. For whatever real reason, at least the Gov had the common sense to try and fashion something that might, might, yield a long term positive result rather than making a futile gesture just to show how disgusted everyone is with JPS. Some of the same people who know MDE is a joke want it to takeover JPS. What is needed now is a first class watchdog to blow the whistle when Antar and his homeboys even look like they might try to return to the status quo. Gov should demand a review and report each month. Give them no wiggle room whatsoever.

Anonymous said...

October 27, 2017 at 8:27 AM = YYaaaaawwwnnnn, SSSsnnnnoorrreee, ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz

Anonymous said...

Wow, 8:27!
What classic load of progressive horseshit.
You start out insulting everyone in Rankin and Madison county, jump to implied praise for the actual Nazi Soros, highlight your true racist nature with a comment about "a white fella", try to deflect that by saying how everybody else is a racist, then wrap it up with a slam at Christianity.
You must have a printed list of talking points. Well done!

Anonymous said...

7:25
Shrillary would show up for the doggie treat that is rightfully hers, and if she wasn't given it, she would loudly bark that it was stolen from her by every lowlife deplorable peon that should know that they are supposed to tug the forelock and produce the treat.

Anonymous said...

... a first class watchdog to blow the whistle when Antar and his homeboys ...

naive
adjective na·ive \ nä-ˈēv , nī- \
variants: or naïve

Definition of naive

naiver; naivest

1 :marked by unaffected simplicity :artless, ingenuous
the experienced man speaks simply and wisely to the naive girl —Gilbert Highet

2 a :deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
their naive ignorance of life … when they were first married —Arnold Bennett

Anonymous said...

MDE recommended Pulley to serve as Interim but absent of a waiver Tunica would return to the D - rating previously assigned. Many of you suggested charter schools/vouchers and they are all F - rated. If you're not for the students being accepted into A - rated school districts then you are not interested in true proven success for students. This narrow minded group just wants to keep the conversation going without any real interest in a resolution.

Place the recent events around the state involving students and teachers on your calendar because it won't make it in their audits as JPS' did. Successful districts are audited later as the emphasis is placed on failing districts. Doesn't that also give the other districts a cheat playbook on what not to do, with examples? Any district that receives noncompliance in the same highly publicized areas as JPS did could not possibly have highly qualified individuals on the leadership team.

Kingfish said...

Keep making up facts.

Anonymous said...

Nothing the Governor, or the Mayor, or the Department of Education, can do will be successful until we figure out what success is. Get the district up to a C? B? Who really cares since the measurement is arbitrary anyway? No, success of a school system has to be measured by the success of its students, and that can't be measured until after they've graduated. As many have already pointed out, few students will be successful without at least one parent who cares, so we need to toss those out of the calculation up front. How the system does with those who are left will tell whether it's a good system.

Anonymous said...

Jackson made the problem. Everyone was able to see what the problem was, except maybe the governor. The people who will get the ass end of the whole thing is the kids.
That isn't unusual. They should be used to it by now. People in Jackson haven't cared about the kids in years. Now the governor is only agreeing with them.

Anonymous said...

What would happen if MDE fails? If MDE takes over then shows no improvement, or it gets worse who takes over from there? Hey... that can't happen cause MDE makes the evaluation. They evaluate themselves. Nice. The kids would get the same
screwing either way.

Anonymous said...

Fact: 2017 Accountability Information located on www.mde.k12.ms.us
#127 Tunica County School District
2016 Grade C. Former Baseline Grade
New Baseline Grade F. 2017 Official Grade D

#145 Joel E. Smilow Prep Charter School
2016 Grade N/A Former Baseline Grade D
New Baseline Grade D. 2017 Official Grade D

Reimagine Prep Charter School
2016 Grade N/A Former Baseline Grade D
New Baseline Grade D. 2017 Official Grade D

Midtown Public Charter School
2016 Grade N/A Former Baseline Grade F
New Baseline F. 2017 Official Grade F

Fact: MDE's video states that audits are done first on failing districts.

Anonymous said...

@ October 27, 2017 at 9:22 AM

"Wow, 8:27!- What classic load of progressive horseshit.
You start out insulting everyone in Rankin and Madison county, jump to implied praise for the actual Nazi Soros, highlight your true racist nature with a comment about "a white fella", try to deflect that by saying how everybody else is a racist, then wrap it up with a slam at Christianity.
You must have a printed list of talking points. Well done!"

What Crock of Conservative Crap coming from a card-carrying Klan member! Where was Soros praised in the comment dumb ass!? Lucien Smith is a white fella - it's a fact!? You can't handle the truth!? There wasn't a slam at Christianity - but simply calling out you fake Christians that try to hide behind the religion with your racist comments. As far as a printed list, find out from your mammy? You backwoods bama!

Anonymous said...

2:26 Do you wake up like this every day?

I don't suppose said...

One of the unnamed philanthropist would be non other than Kosciusko native Oprah Winfrey "OK JPS STUDENTS! Look under your chair and you will find an envelope that contains a certificate for a FREE EDUCATION! VALUED AT $156,000 EACH!"

Give Em Time said...

Those who keep throwing around the ratings for existing Charters should know that all these schools are less than two years into the experiment stage. I wouldn't count on much until at least five years.

You can't take kids out of a poor system and expect them to thrive within a year. Of course those who bitch the loudest about Charters are the ones heavily invested in their personal PERS fortune in a few years as most public schools are merely employment offices.

Anonymous said...

Happy now, Dorsey?

Anonymous said...

@10:34 is probably employed by a charter school...another employment system. So, is MDE throwing the ratings around because that's where they are posted.

Anonymous said...

Gov and Antar are half-bright pols merely kicking the can. This plan achieves nothing but more public/private costs for Jackson. Neither leader has compromised anything--so those lauding the two as having done something somehow hard have misread. As far as so-called stakeholders go, they may be classified in three buckets: students, parents and administrators/teachers. JPS students typically do not care about education quality. JPS parents, on balance, lack the resources and/or care about demanding higher quality educations from public officials. Most don't pay taxes. Administrators/teachers appear to be the most influential stakeholder / beneficiary of JPS. Local pols, too, by extension as they get to place jobs for cronies. The administrators are clearly organized around capturing public funds to redistribute to themselvess. The JPS students are just props. GOP knows that their constituents aren't directly affected in any case by subpar JPS, so care not except making the right noises to save face. The best thing would be to filter smarter JPS kids early on into a college bound program and put the rest in vocational/trade school curricula. Cut welfare to improve labor market and also curtail illegal immigration that brings down wages. That would require teaching conservative principles to the locals, that would rather pursue a future of racialist tropes... Jackson's future

Anonymous said...

Does this really require abunch of fancy committees, studies, etc? Just look at highly rated neighboring districts? Brother Malcolm X said if you want to know why someone has what you want, look at what they're doing that you're not.



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