Murray is the chief academic officer for high schools in the school district. “Dr. Benita Burt, School Board President, stated that Murray is well-versed in the system. “He was principal at all three levels of Jackson (elementary middle and high),” Benita Burt, School Board President, stated. The board will form a search committee to start looking for candidates for the JPS superintendent position. Two parents asked Burt if they would include their children in the selection process. Burt said that it would be a great idea, but it was too early to know if parents will sit on the selection boards. Burt stated that “I believe that everyone on the board believes that this is just as important.” “You know that the parents are the community and they have their children with them most of the year. There is no reason to make decisions without having a conversation with parents. “And not just open conversation, but that those conversations are considered in decision making process.” On Nov. 16, the board announced that Dr. Cedrick Gray, the current superintendent, will resign. Gray informed the board that he will resign on Friday. This decision comes after the district was given an F rating in the most recent round of state accountability rankings. A number of deficiencies discovered during a state audit of district led to the possible loss of accreditation. A search committee will be formed to choose the next permanent superintendent.