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.
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