Ellington

In a special meeting Sunday, the Jackson Public Schools board agreed to employ the Mississippi School Board Association to help in the district's hunt for its next superintendent.

Current Superintendent Earl Watkins announced that he had no plan to renew his contract after it expires in 2009. Watkins has made no official criticism of the board, though tension between Watkins and the board has been building since Jackson Chief of Staff Marcus Ward allegedly pressured a board member to approve a contract with a business favored by Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. Pressure has been building further since the Jackson City Council confirmed two Melton appointees to the board last year, tilting the board dynamic in favor of the mayor.
The board voted unanimously to hire the state association.

"I'm pleased we were able to reach a consensus. I have a lot of confidence in the Mississippi School Board Association and have worked with them on other issues, particularly funding issues, where they've been very helpful to us. They're a great advocate, and they have a lot of national ties," said board member Jonathan Larkin.