Jackson Free Press

Even though the Jackson Public Schools Board has not decided on the fate of Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, Edwards said his goodbyes yesterday to the school district.

At an afternoon press conference, Edwards praised the district and school board members. He encouraged the district to focus on the upcoming school year, but did not indicate if he was withdrawing his appeal for his contract to be renewed, JPS spokeswoman Peggy Hampton said.

Edwards told reporters he was returning to Atlanta and would serve the district if the school board wanted him to.

Edwards requested his appeal when the board announced in January that it would not renew his contract for the next school year. His hearing, which started in March, included testimony from school-board members and district employees about his job performance since he started his position in 2008. Testimony included a mixed bag of praise and criticism, with several school-district employees vouching for him.

On Monday, school board members voted to name former JPS Superintendent Jayne Sargent as the district's interim superintendent starting July 1. Edwards' contract ends today. The school board must still vote on whether or not to renew Edward's contract.