Officials from the state Education Department said that Jackson Public School District officials need to act immediately to address major problems in school safety and instructional methods to avoid state takeover. This warning was issued as the state Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the revised plan of the school district for correcting deficiencies identified in an April audit. Carey Wright, the State Superintendent of Education, stated that “my concerns are about the district’s capability to implement the corrective actions plan.” “Crafting a plan can be one thing. But executing it is another.” Paula Vanderford, Director of the Education Department’s Accreditation Office, shared alarming reports about a teacher pulling a student into line and verbally abusing students at a Jackson elementary school. Vanderford also reported that Education Department staff observed students wandering through the school and setting off metal detectors, school buses arriving at 9:30 a.m., students roaming around the halls, and classes without teachers. These reports led to a conversation earlier this week between Wright, Jackson Public Schools Interim superintendent Freddrick Murray, and Beneta Burt, the Jackson school board chair, and Rickey Jones vice chair. Vanderford stated that even though many of the same issues were raised in the April audit findings released in June, there is still a concern that the district doesn’t have the urgency to address them immediately. She reminded Jackson school board chair Beneta Burt and vice chair Rickey Jones that the Commission on School Accreditation can recommend the withdrawal of the district’s accreditation status. Schools will be unable to participate in any other athletic activity than the half that they have been allowed to in the regular season if the district loses their accreditation status. This includes speech and debate, choral and band, and choral music and choral music. All post-season activities are suspended and schools cannot hold special games, parades tournaments or other competitions. The governor can also declare a school district in crisis. This would allow for the restructuring of the leadership and the appointment by the state of a conservator. If the safety or educational interests of students are at risk, a school district has been deemed failing for more than two years consecutively, more schools have been designated as failing, lack of financial resources and/or fail to meet minimum academic standards, then a state of emergency can be declared. Following an April audit of Jackson Public Schools, which found numerous accreditation violations, the state placed Jackson Public Schools on probationary status. The district was awarded an F rating in its 2015-2016 accountability ratings. Former Superintendent Cedrick Gray has resigned. Murray has been leading the district’s efforts to complete its corrective plan. The plan was approved Thursday by the board at 4-1. After the meeting, Murray explained that the plan was designed to prevent such things from happening. “Yes, it was shocking to hear that these kinds of things were taking place. We’re going to address that. We own what’s going on, and we don’t dispute what they saw.” Murray said that while there are areas of concern within the district, Murray indicated that schools have made a “180-degree turn” since last year. Murray stated that five new high school principals have been appointed, which is a change from last year. “The leadership has completely changed and new systems are in place.” Johnny Franklin, a board member, voted against the approval of the corrective actions plan. Franklin stated that this was an abject failure for the adults in that district who get paid well every day and that’s why they are killing children. “When I think about whether I should vote for this or no, I have to consider whether I will vote for it.” The state Board of Education rejected the first draft of the plan in November. It stated that there was not enough detail for the actions and the timelines. The plan has been improved by the district and Education Department officials. The plan includes corrective actions that address issues such as inaccurate reporting, teachers who are not licensed or have endorsements in the subjects they teach, and incomplete graduation records for 114 students. Vanderford informed the board that Education Department staff will be making unannounced visits to schools in January. He will also continue to monitor the district’s implementation. Jackson Public Schools was placed on probation for the last time in 2012. The Education Department found that Jackson Public Schools violated federal law concerning special-needs students. Vanderford informed the board that Education Department staff members will begin making unannounced school visits in January and continue to closely monitor the district’s implementation of this plan.