Stakeholders interested in telling Jackson Public Schools what they want in the district’s next superintendent can now communicate those requests to the school district online.

The district posted a “Superintendent Search Survey” on its website Wednesday as an outlet for the community to get involved in picking the new leader.

The survey comes after the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees voted Tuesday night to conduct a national search for the next superintendent using a search firm.

Former superintendent Cedrick Gray resigned last year after the district received an F rating from the state’s accountability system. JPS faces a potential downgrade of the school district’s accreditation status.

The survey includes seven questions — participants can share thoughts on the district’s strengths and weaknesses, things a search consultant should be aware of, ways for the public to be included in the search process, and more.

At the board meeting, JPS Board President Beneta Burt said the public would have an opportunity to participate in the process through the survey and possible future community meetings and information sessions once candidates are narrowed down.


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Kayleigh Skinner joined the Mississippi Today team in January 2017 as an education and legislative reporter and advanced to a senior staff member in her four years with the company. Skinner most recently served as deputy managing editor before assuming the role of managing editor. Kayleigh has a bachelor’s in journalism from the School of Journalism and New Media from the University of Mississippi. Before joining Mississippi Today, Kayleigh worked at The Hechinger Report, Chalkbeat Tennessee, and The Commercial Appeal. She has appeared on MSNBC, NPR, and BBC Newsday Radio to discuss her reporting.