Florence 1 superintendent to end tenure in June
Shireese Bell/Morning News
Published: November 8, 2007
FLORENCE — Florence School District 1 Superintendent Larry Jackson reminded members of the board of trustees he wouldn’t seek an additional three-year contract after an executive session following the board’s regular meeting Thursday night.Published: November 8, 2007
Jackson’s contract will end in June.
“I have learned a lot. I have learned what to do and what not to do,” he said. “It has been a pleasure to serve the school district.”
Jackson said he thought about his decision for months and had every intention of making his announcement regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s $125 million bond referendum, which was meant to raise money to build seven new schools. The referendum failed to pass by 168 votes.
Jackson told the board it was time for fresh ideas in school administration. He also said he wanted to give the board ample time to seek a new superintendent who would be ready to start by the 2008-09 school year.
“We have been able to accomplish much during my tenure as superintendent, and because I am a product of Florence 1 schools and have served in this district for 28 years, I have a strong desire to see Florence 1 be all that it can be,” Jackson said in a press release. “I love this district and I truly believe that new leadership and fresh ideas will heighten the progress that has already been made.”
Jackson praised the faculty, staff, and community of Florence 1 for their continued support and dedication.
“You will not find a more dedicated group of people with which to work,” he said. “We have hard-working teachers, faculty and staff, as well as a supportive community.
“My suggestion to the next person in this office is to work to galvanize this support so that progress can continue to be made,” he said.
Board chairman Porter Stewart said he was saddened by the news and thanked Jackson for his service not only as superintendent, but for all the years he has spent with the district.
“You are an exemplary citizen and I thank you for that,” Stewart said.
Board vice chairman Thurmond Becote said he was speechless after hearing Jackson’s announcement.
“He’s made a decision to move on,” Becote said. “The least we can do is respect that. He’s not being put out, it’s his choice.”
Jackson was named interim superintendent in 2005 and was later appointed superintendent by the board of trustees in 2006.
He began his educational career as a sixth-grade teacher at Williams Middle School. He has served in several positions including an assistant principal, a principal and assistant superintendent for personnel services.
As for his plans after leaving the district, Jackson said he hasn’t decided what he would do at this point but looks forward to entering the job market again.
In other business, the board briefly discussed the failure of the bond referendum during the regular session.
“I don’t think anyone wanted this passed more than I did,” Jackson said of the referendum. “I’m very disappointed, but as I told staff this morning, we’re moving forward.”
Jackson said he believes the district can make a stronger case to the public and recommends the board reestablish the district’s Blue Ribbon Panel to discuss facility needs and community concerns.
Board member Alexis Pipkins requested that the board revisit all information concerning facilities, and the district make a better effort to inform and include the community.
“I don’t think we were defeated,” Pipkins said. “I think we just didn’t mobilize the community.
“I didn’t see it as a failure or a defeat,” he said. “I see it as an opportunity that our message is not placed on a shelf.”
Also during the meeting, Luther Rabon, the district’s chief financial officer, discussed the State Budget and Control Board Projections and Act 388-property tax relief. The State Budget and Control Board projects the district will receive $11,022,664 in Tier III payments. The money is what the district would have collected had there been no property tax relief.
Before the property tax relief law was passed, the district received funds from property taxes on owner-occupied property for school operating costs.
Harlana Vaughan, a teacher at McLaurin Elementary School, also was recognized during the meeting as the district’s Teacher of the Year.
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