The Jackson Public Schools’ Board of Trustees announced Tuesday that Dr. Freddrick Murray has been named interim superintendent for the school district.

Murray is the school district’s chief academic officer of high schools.

“Dr. Murray knows the system, and he knows the system well,” School Board President Benita Burt said. “He has served as principal in all three different levels (elementary, middle and high schools) in Jackson.”

The board will begin the process of forming a search committee to begin looking for candidates to fill the superintendent position for JPS. Two parents at the board meeting asked if parents would be included in the selection process.

In response, Burt agreed that it would be a good idea but said it was too early in process to confirm whether or not parents would sit on the selection board.

“I think everyone on the board thinks that that is just so important,” Burt said. “You know, the parents are the community, and we have their children with us most of the year. There will never be a reason why decisions should be made without some sort of open conversation with parents. And not only open conversation but that those conversation are considered in the decision making process.”

The board also announced that the resignation of current superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray will take effect on Nov. 16.

Gray told the board on Friday that he would resign. The move comes in the wake of the district receiving an F rating in the latest round of state accountability rankings.

The district also faces possible reduction of its accreditation status because of numerous deficiencies found during a state audit of the district.

A search committee will be formed to choose the next permanent superintendent.

Parents told the school board at its meeting Tuesday evening that they would like to be included in the search for the new superintendent.

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.