The Jackson-Madison County School Board voted to approve a resolution to deny Jackson Museum School’s charter application with stipulations.
At the special-called meeting on April 30, and after much discussion between board members and the charter school’s founder/CEO, Jean Little, the resolution resulted in an 8-1 vote, with Glen Gaugh, District 2, being the sole opposing vote.
Jackson Museum School founder Jean Little speaks before the Jackson-Madison County School Board in Jackson, Tenn., on Thursday, April 18, 2025.
The decision comes after the school board chose to table its vote on the resolution at the April 18 board meeting.
The approved resolution signifies that the Jackson Museum School application was not shut down altogether, but that Little has 30 days to correct deficiencies and resubmit an amended application.
If denied after the resubmission, Little can appeal her case to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, which holds the power to either uphold or overturn the board’s decision to deny.
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Gaugh asked Little ahead of the vote if she plans to appeal if denied, to which she responded “yes.”
However, she has previously indicated, and reiterated at the April 30 meeting, that she is hopeful that local authorization can be granted by the board before appealing to the state.
School board chairman Harvey Walden shared after the meeting that if appealed, he believes it will more than likely be passed by the charter commission.
“One thing that we did tonight, you saw the concerns that myself and the other board members had, and that’s the reason why we turned her down with reconsideration,” Walden said.
“That way, she can make reconsiderations on the things that we have issues with and bring it back before us.”
Jackson Museum School founder Jean Little speaks with JMCSS Superintendent Dr. Marlon King after a Jackson-Madison County School Board Meeting in Jackson, Tenn., on Thursday, April 18, 2025.
Public comments demonstrate a divided community
Several public comments were made in support of the charter school, namely by some of the charter school’s proposed board members.
Delita Johnson, executive director of the Jackson Arts Council and proposed Jackson Museum School board member, encouraged the board to vote in favor of the application based on the charter school’s “collaboration, not competition” with the Jackson-Madison County School System.
Victoria Toone, representing the New Jackson Madison County Voters Council, advocated that board members “stand in their commitment to public education” and vote against it.
District 5 County Commissioner Shelia Godwin took a neutral approach, touting that she doesn’t have a position, but is simply asking the board “to do the right thing.”
“When you vote, I’m asking you to put the kids first and do the right thing because I believe in my heart that this charter review team will make the best recommendation,” Godwin said.
Board discusses application deficiencies
Prior to the vote, Little stood before the board, taking questions and addressing concerns.
She was informed in real time as to the application’s deficiencies that were deemed to have partially met standards. Deficiencies named include the proposed school’s academic plan for special populations, operations plan, personnel and human capital, professional development and transportation.
Walden expressed concern over Jackson Museum School’s inclusion of Core Knowledge Language Arts.
Little noted that she’s open-minded to amending the curriculum but will remain true to the school’s mission and vision to create “an innovative, student-centered school environment that prioritizes high academics and character development.”
Shane Barnes, District 5, Position 1, questioned Little on the proposed locations for the school and what the plan for transportation was.
Andrea Givens-Moore, District 6, Position 1, told Little that she’s “very concerned” and asked about the type of children that the school would be serving.
“We’re hoping to serve any families who are wanting an additional choice,” Little said.
“One myth about charter schools is the fact that some people think that you can choose which students are coming. We’re a public school, we can’t choose which students are coming any more than, say, Pope [School] can. If they come and sign up, we accept them.”
After the vote, Little expressed that her plan is to take the deficiencies and the provided information to amend the application for resubmission.
“I think they’ve given us some very specific feedback, and I think it’s valuable feedback, so we will take that, and we will make sure we address their concerns and improve the application in the areas that they’ve asked us to improve it. And we will be right back in front of them asking again for their partnership,” Little said.
Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson-Madison board denies museum charter school, asks to resubmit
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