The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees has approved a revised contract with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra to extend the strings program through the end of the current school year, reports WAPT. Board President Sollie Norwood was absent from the meeting and did not cast a vote, however, the rest of the board voted 4-to-0 to retain the program.

In a previous vote Oct. 21, the board split 2-to-2 on the program, effectively discontinuing the popular, 42-year collaboration between JPS and the MSO. Members Jonathan Larkin and Ann Jones voted for renewal, and Delmer Stamps and Ivory Phillips voted in opposition. Board President Sollie Norwood was also absent for the initial vote due to illness.

The board faced a firestorm of protests from parents of students in the program, which cost JPS $300,000 annually. Citing numerous studies linking music education to improved academic performance, parents came out for each subsequent board meeting to defend the program. Stamps and Phillips had previously voted against renewing the program in the face of the JPS' $6.1 million budget deficit.

Previous Comments

ID

153424

Comment

This is awesome news, and a great victory for the families in JPS.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2009-11-18T10:13:32-06:00

ID

153426

Comment

Amen, Lady Havoc!!!! A - le - lu -iah! A - le - lu - iah!!!!!! Interesting that Mr. Sollie Norwood keeps being a no-show. If he is ill or has illness in his family and that is keeping him from participating, anyone could understand that and would want to be compassionate and supportive of him and his decisions regarding his board responsibility. If he is not dealing with some personal issue that is legitimatly preventing him from performing his duties, he needs to show or go.

Author

J.T.

Date

2009-11-18T10:51:59-06:00

ID

153431

Comment

I'll agree, J.T. Where is Mr. Norwood? It sounds as bad as getting Coucilman Stokes to show up for a council work session!

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2009-11-18T11:51:59-06:00