The Jackson-Madison County School Board voted to approve participation in the Education Freedom Act teacher bonus program during its regularly scheduled meeting; the motion was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

The resolution commits the district to accept and participate in scholarship/bonus funds made available through the Education Freedom Act. Supporters in the audience applauded Superintendent Dr. Marlon King and the district's recent academic gains; at least one public commenter said the board's earlier handling of bonuses had been "petty." Willie Ozer told the board he believed the superintendent's performance merited a full bonus and criticized the board's earlier approach to that compensation decision.

Superintendent Dr. Marlon King, who said he will be entering his sixth year in the role, accepted public expressions of support and thanked the community and board for their work. Board members then moved to approve participation in the Education Freedom Act bonus distribution, the motion was seconded and the board approved the action by voice vote.

Public comments at the meeting included a mix of support for the superintendent and concerns about how bonuses and other district resources are allocated. Several speakers referenced statewide education advocacy organizations and urged the district to maintain or increase investment in public schools while also noting the district's recent academic indicators.

The board did not specify dollar amounts, eligibility details, or an implementation timeline in the motion on the record; those funding and eligibility details are governed by the Education Freedom Act and any implementing state guidance and were not read into the record at the meeting. The board did not provide a roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.