/Former Jackson superintendent paid $195,000

Former Jackson superintendent paid $195,000

According to school district records, Jackson Public Schools paid Cedrick Gray $195,000 when he resigned. Gray’s resignation is unknown. Gray’s departure and payments have not been made public by school officials. According to Mississippi Today’s accounts payable document, Gray was paid $195,000 between October 22 and November 4. At its Nov. 15 meeting, the school board approved this document. Beneta Burt, President of the School Board, announced Gray’s resignation Oct. 28. Gray’s resignation was announced by Beneta Burt, the president of the School Board. This follows a state accountability system F rating and possible downgrading of the school district’s accreditation status. Gray earned $205,000 annually and his contract for four years was renewed by the board on April 2015. Gray was also given a $5,000 increase annually by the board based on his achievements such as increased parent involvement and a decrease of discipline incidents in the district. Burt incorrectly stated that Gray’s resignation included the payment of the remainder of Gray’s contract. All questions were referred to the attorney of the school district. JoAnne Shepherd, JPS attorney, said that she couldn’t provide details about the settlement. Gray died in 2012 after a struggle to reach him during his final days at the district. Gray arrived in Jackson from Fayette county Schools in Tennessee in 2012. Gray was responsible for restoring the district’s accreditation status to it after it was reduced in compliance with federal law regarding students with special needs. After an April audit by Mississippi Department of Education, the district’s accreditation status was threatened. The audit included allegations that Gray had often overturned principals’ implementation of discipline policy and not made sure schools were safe and clean. The district also had problems with class instruction, records, and documentation regarding graduation requirements. According to the report, schools had regular problems with their records, including a lack of evacuation plans or fire extinguishers. The report also showed that schools had broken windows, inoperable toilets, and air conditions. The State Board of Education rejected last month’s district’s plan for correcting the deficiencies, stating that the plan did not contain enough details. JPS is currently revising this plan with help from the state education department. It will be presented to the Board of Education once again in March.