A shared staffing deal between two North Florida school districts is now off the table.
Madison County school board members voted unanimously to rescind their shared staffing agreement with Jefferson County schools during a special meeting on Monday. Board members say they are concerned with last minute amendments to job descriptions for the administrative roles. Watch the video below to hear more on whats next for both school districts. Madison school board rescinds agreement to share administrative staff with Jefferson County after contract changes
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
The deal between Jefferson and Madison County school boards to share leadership positions has officially collapsed. Im Lentheus Chaney, your neighborhood reporter in Madisonwhere a unanimous vote today put a stop to the partnership that promised cost savings but raised red flags for employees and families.
Today, the Madison County School Board voted unanimously to rescind recent amendments to a shared staffing agreement with Jefferson Countyvoiding the deal entirely.
The decision comes after concerns surfaced over key changes made after the original vote, particularly around the job description for the exceptional student education (ESE) directora role Madison would oversee and fund.
Some board members say theyve been flooded with calls and messages from neighbors who never supported the plan in the first place.
District 5 School Board Member Devin Thompson says she voted against the agreement the first time and is grateful the board had a chance to revisit it.
The biggest concern that I got as far as phone calls was the ESE department that is very critical as far as the services that the students received. We wanna make sure that the staff that is over that department is rooted in the community, Thompson said.
The original agreement included plans to share three top-level positionsESE director, human resources director, and transportation director.
Neighbor Jennifer Fulmer says shes happy with todays outcome and from the beginning questioned not just the process, but also the potential implications on the partnership.
I think its a conflict of interest. You cant have a HR person for two counties and to be able to, you know, weigh which county needs whatand then transportation services here three days, there two, Fulmer said.
I spoke to Jefferson Superintendent Jackie Pons. He says although hes disappointed, hes grateful for the board and the opportunity to present something innovative. Superintendent Pickles says theyll move forward with hiring their own ESE director.
In Madison, Im Lentheus Chaney, ABC27.
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.
Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.