Givens-Moore wants to be present to represent District 6 in JMCSS

Andrea Michelle Givens-Moore is from Jackson, born and raised.

She attended schools in Jackson city schools before consolidation. Her children attended Jackson-Madison County Schools. Her grandchildren attend the schools now.

She’s a product of local public schools, and she’s long supported them as she’s raised more products of the district.

Now she wants to help lead the district.

Givens-Moore is the Democratic nominee for the JMCSS Board from District 6, Position 1.

“I’ve actually run for this position before and lost, but I’m running again because my heart is for the children,” Givens-Moore said during an interview on Wednesday. “And I want to be of help in supporting the teachers and superintendent as well.”

Even when she didn’t have a child or grandchild in the system, Givens-Moore said she’s kept up with the school system and how the students have scored on statewide tests.

She’s seen the revolving door at the entrance to the superintendent’s office that seems to have slowed since Marlon King took the reins of the district in 2020.

And she says this is a critical time for the district.

“These elections are important because Dr. King is doing a wonderful job in leading this district, and I fully, fully support him in his mission and methods of getting things done,” Givens-Moore said. “And we need to make sure his efforts have the proper support from the Board, not just for the current students but for the future, because this affects not only the future of the District but also the future for Jackson.

“And I also want to help benefit the future of my grandchildren.”

She said the people of District 6 deserve to have someone at the meetings representing their needs and communicating with them.

“I want to make sure I’m there and a part of what’s going on when it comes to dealing with budgets, policies and all the different things that have to be voted on by the Board,” Givens-Moore said. “If you’re on the Board, you should be present for the votes, and if you’re not, that’s not the support this district and this school system needs.

“And I want to be available to the public to answer their questions, listen to their concerns, address their needs with the Superintendent or whomever needs to be addressed and help all involved parties.”

She said she likes the upward trajectory of the school district.

“Things aren’t where they need to be, but they’re getting better,” Givens-Moore said. “I’d love to see our local students’ test scores be better than what they are, but that’s not a change that’ll happen overnight.

“But if I can be a part of the process that makes the environment better for that kind of improvement, then I hope the voters will help make that happen.”

Early voting started Friday, July 12 and ends on July 27. Election Day is Aug. 1.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news