New JMCSS Board members sworn in

Jackson-Madison County School Board started a new era officially on Monday when three new members were sworn in before their monthly work session.

And there was a running theme among the three.

Shane Barnes, Andrea Michelle Givens-Moore and Glen Gaugh were all sworn in along with Marcia Moss, who won her first election after being appointed to the Board by the Madison County Commission last year, and Debbie Gaugh, who won re-election.

But for Barnes, Givens-Moore and Glen Gaugh, they’re all alumni of Jackson Central-Merry, ensuring a possible influence of green and gold Cougars in setting policy for the district.

“I’m excited to get started,” Givens-Moore said. “I’m a product of this public schools in Jackson. My children came up through this district, and my grandchildren are coming through now.

“So I care a lot about what happens here – the students, the educators and the community.”

Barnes said fiscal responsibility for the district is something he wants to look into soon.

“Teacher pay is a big concern for me because our teachers don’t need to make the baseline for the state in teacher salary,” Barnes said. “I know they’ve been working to get their pay up and away from the lowest, and I want to make sure that continues.

“But at the same time, I’m concerned about this lawsuit against the state [regarding the Charter School Commission that was filed last fall]. I want to learn more about it from the inside because I just don’t see right now how that’s something we should be spending our money on.”

Gaugh, whose children are currently in the district, said ensuring Madison County children’s education is second to none is the priority for him.

“But there’s so many different subtle aspects to that,” Gaugh said. “So I plan to ask questions when I need to learn more about this job, but there’s a lot going on great now we need to keep doing.

“Hopefully we can make it even better and help all the students of Madison County.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news