JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
According to Ann Moore, State Director of Special Education, the Jackson Public School District is making strides in implementing all the state and federal special education mandates that must be met for the district to avoid losing accreditation. But time may not be on their side.
"The November 1 timeline is going to be very, very difficult again, because school is out, new staff coming in, new staff will have to be trained in policies and procedures," Moore told the Commission on Accreditation during a meeting Thursday morning.
Jim Keith, an attorney helping the district with the accreditation issue, says meeting the deadline will be no problem.
"Really it's an advantage to have this summer to make sure the principals, assistant principals, all teachers are on board, fully informed, fully trained," he says.
At the regular meeting of the Jackson Public School Board on Tuesday, the accreditation issue was discussed, and it was a packed house. Keith says Acting Superintendent Dr. Jayne Sargent required every school principal and assistant principal to be there, to demonstrate to the State Department that they're serious about making changes. Incoming Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray attended too. He takes over July 1.
"It's a matter of making sure our people understand exactly what their roles and responsibilities are, and implementing those procedures," Keith says.
Moore says the State Office of Special Education will be in the Jackson Public Schools all day Friday, working with the district and establishing a specific timeline to meet the requirements.
If the district loses its accreditation, it might lose its extracurricular sports programs for students.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
