Jackson Free Press

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's efforts to remove Superintendent Earl Watkins before his contract completion date could cost Jackson Public Schools big money, according to some board members.

"Terminating a contract without cause could cost our district millions of dollars, which we cannot afford, under any circumstances," board member Jonathan Larkin told the Jackson Free Press.

The Clarion-Ledger reported that Melton said he is lobbying members of the board to remove Watkins because the system isn't effectively dealing with its dropout problem under his direction.

"I have the full support of three members of the school district (board)," Melton told The Clarion-Ledger. "I need three out of five."

Board member Ann Jones joins Larkin as one of the two members unwilling to take on the prospect of firing Watkins.

"I see no reason to ask for his resignation or to terminate him, and I think that if some board members decide that's what they want to do it would be ill-advised," Jones said.

The board recently voted to renew Watkins' contract until 2009, and would have to justify its decision in Hinds County Circuit Court if Watkins appealed. The Mississippi Association of School Administrators named Watkins as Superintendent of the Year for 2006.

The 31,000-student district recorded 312 dropouts for the 2006-07 year, down from 448 in 2005-06, and down further from 651 in 2002—the year of Watkins' arrival as superintendent.

Previous Comments

ID

68202

Comment

Let me get this straight. Melton wants to fire Watkins for reducing the district-wide dropout rate by 52.2% since he's been JPS superintendent. Am I mistaken, or was not reducing crime in *60 days* the campaign mantra that he rode into office? And hasn't it been factually established that crime has risen overall in two short years? It seems to me that if he thinks Watkins should be fired, he should concurrently conclude that he should resign as Mayor. Yesterday! Makes sense to me, huh?

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-12-12T19:04:51-06:00

ID

68203

Comment

Oh, by the way, hasn't Melton also miserably failed in his self-appointed-but-unregulated-by-MDHS role as a *ward* of countless wayward young males who mainly end up back in trouble, on drugs and even murdered? Following his logic for urging Watkins' firing, MDHS--or somebody--should forbid Melton to continue taking these boys into his home and ruining their lives...right now.

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-12-12T19:13:49-06:00

ID

68204

Comment

It's just another example of the pot (Frank) calling the kettle black.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-12-12T20:44:21-06:00

ID

68205

Comment

Melton never quits. Someone please explain to me why Melton wants to remove Watkins? The elite power structure banned him from the police department, so is he just looking for something else to destroy. Well one thing is for sure - if Melton doesn't have the backing of the Parents for Public Schools, it will never happen. And I'm no fan of either Parents for Public Schools or Watkins. However, I realize, as a parent of children in JPS, that Watkins is a competent professional. So I've just got to close my eyes and not think about the "text messages". When the timing is right, we can launch a search for another superintendent.

Author

lanier77

Date

2007-12-13T09:08:55-06:00

ID

68206

Comment

This new melton act might not be as crazy as you think. melton continues to get refueled and retooled from some of his constituents: This is the movement back to "The Way We Were." Wherein I do agree that Watkins should resign secondary to his actions in the Ellis case, causing taxpayers thousands of dollars; but, not because melton has trumped up claims against him about truency. Just watch how this one will play out. melton is on a mission! I just finished reading a statistical report about JPS and issues of truency and drop outs. Watkins numbers look good. There will never be a perfect attendence record for any school district. All roads lead to children with melton. I'm wondering when someone will sit him down and explain the scope-of-practice for a mayor.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-12-13T14:02:26-06:00

ID

68207

Comment

Melton's found another windmill to attack to occupy his time now that Chief-Sheriff McMillian's holding the keys to the MCU.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-12-13T14:06:32-06:00

ID

68208

Comment

The elite power structure banned him from the police department, so is he just looking for something else to destroy. lanier, you took the words right out of my mouth.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-12-13T18:19:39-06:00

ID

68209

Comment

Well, he seems to have built his folk-hero status on going after other people and their reputations. (Not that Watkins doesn't have problems of his own, which presumably makes him an easy target for Melton.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-13T18:22:12-06:00

ID

68210

Comment

Melton demanded the resignation of ALL Board Members shortly after taking office. I believe this was aimed at the Airport Authority and the School Board. He had absolutely no idea he was creating havoc in areas like the plumbing licensesure boards, etc. He has wanted the School Board from the beginning. He has three members now and some of their actions are highly questionable.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-12-14T06:58:23-06:00

ID

68211

Comment

... highly questionable.... ditto. Its refreshing to know that others are noticing this...

Author

lanier77

Date

2007-12-14T10:28:06-06:00

ID

68212

Comment

melton said this himself, "I have enough votes to do it." This was the statement he made about getting Watkins OUT.There are just some things you don't say, even if it is true. Citizens would like to believe that Board members are fair and impartial. frank sets everything up on a manipulation scale: One that seems to tip in his favor. I continue to hope that this is a row with an end and not a turn-row.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-12-18T12:21:58-06:00

ID

68213

Comment

It is very scary to imagine Melton controlling not just the school board, but the public-school system. He seems to want free rein (reign?) over the schools as he has had over the streets of Jackson. I guess he wants to be able to get himself a hug anytime he needs one. Seriously, Melton does have a weird obsession with being the only father figure that is "helping" kids, especially young men, in Jackson. He truly doesn't seem to care much about what people say about him, except when you imply that he isn't the (sole) savior of black boys across Jackson. Then he gets his knickers in a twist. I've been on the receiving end of that on several occasions. The problem, of course, is that the "help" doesn't seem to really be help.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-12-18T12:34:23-06:00

ID

68214

Comment

melton's "help" has definitely hurt too many of our young people. I just can't understand his rationale for wanting to raise the children of others but, not his own.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-12-18T12:44:52-06:00

ID

68215

Comment

Citizens would like to believe that Board members are fair and impartial. justjess No doubt jess! And, you are fooling yourself if you don't think this Board hasn't manipulated the $150 million bond for new schools either. Not all that money is being spent on the up and up. This Board is not working in the best interest of Jackson - just Jacksonites they like!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-12-18T12:50:04-06:00