Jackson Free Press

JACKSON — The Jackson City Council unanimously approved Letitia Simmons Johnson to serve as the Ward 2 member of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees at its meeting Tuesday morning.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who nominated Johnson, told the council that his decision to appoint her did not come out of the necessity of time—but instead because of her family's involvement with JPS as well as her background as a bankruptcy attorney.

Lumumba told the council that his new appointee is deeply invested in education and wants the system to be fully funded.

Johnson told the council that all five of her children attended JPS schools. Three of her children are still in the district, while two have graduated.

"The education that they've received and the opportunities they've received from JPS has given them an advantage," Johnson said.

Council members barely questioned Johnson at the meeting but had apparently asked her questions either at the work session on Monday or in private.

"We have asked for somebody who has skin in the game, so to speak, with JPS, and this family does," Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester Jr., whose ward Johnson will represent on the board, said Tuesday. "We have asked for people with experience with finances, and she has a background as a financial services adviser."

Priester said he received several calls from previous school-board members from the 1990s who called to encourage the city council to vote to put Johnson on the school board.

Four of Johnson's children were at the meeting with her, and she told the council that they have been able to take advantage of special programs offered in Jackson Public Schools.

"I want to see JPS do for all children what they've done for my children," Johnson told the council. "And they're the reason why I'm committed because they are still here, and they're still in the system."

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes asked Johnson what she would do to help keep JPS independent and avoid the Mississippi Department of Education from taking over.

"Because I'm not on the board (now), I don't know the issues that are coming up, but I feel like you do: that JPS belongs to JPS. So whatever is necessary to make sure it remains so, I will do," Johnson said.

Johnson's confirmation to the school board completes the quorum necessary for the board to resume business. The JPS School Board was down to three members before Johnson's confirmation Tuesday and had to suspend business that needed to be voted on.

A quorum (or four of seven) of members must be present to vote on consent agenda items. The next school-board meeting is set for next Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Email state reporter Arielle Dreher at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @arielle_amara.