It seems that some ‘inquiring minds want to know,’ “Who is this Jeter fellow?” and “Are taxpayer dollars paying him?” Therefore, I decided it’s time to clarify this information.

No — none of your precious taxpayer dollars are paying him. I started the Natchez-Adams County Educational Development Foundation as a 501(C)(3) to raise independent donations to fund several initiatives aimed at helping to find solutions that could help our schools, our children, our community. Dr. Jeter is paid as a consultant from those funds, most of which were donations I made because I wanted to be part of the solution rather than joining the anonymous complainers who are part of the problem. For over a century, my family has lived in Natchez; I am a graduate of South Natchez-Adams High School and a local businessman, consumer, resident and advocate. I would be happy to entertain any more questions.

A Jenks High School in Oklahoma, alumnus, Marvin Jeter graduated from the USM in 1986 with a bachelor of science degree in radio, television and film with minors in advertising and journalism. After owning his own picture framing business in Jackson and working as partner in an interior design business in Beverly Hills, he decided to make a major career change.

After leaving the world of self-employment, Dr. Jeter entered the field of education working with behaviorally challenged elementary school students. He graduated a second time from the USM in May 1997, with an M.S. in school psychology and graduated the same month from JSU with an M.Ed. in administration and supervision. Dr. Jeter completed his PhD in education foundations and leadership at JSU in May 2004, where he was honored by his peers as the 2002-2003 president of the Doctoral Student Association.

Dr. Jeter has taught K-5 in an urban district, 9-12 in a rural district, psychology at Hinds Community College and educational leadership in graduate programs at USM, MC, and OU-Tulsa. His administrative experience includes principal positions at all levels, director of site magnet curriculum, coordinator of a state agency grant program, assistant superintendent of learning services and assistant superintendent for school innovations. For two years, he was an active member of the Mississippi P-20 task force as a collaborative effort to align curriculum, instruction and services of the three Mississippi education agencies – the Mississippi Department of Education, the State Board for Community & Junior Colleges, and the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

Through the years, Dr. Jeter has held several non-traditional education positions serving students with exceptional needs:

• Classroom teacher — K-5 Positive Action Center serving students suspended/expelled from 16 inner-city urban schools
• Psychology consultant for three suburban districts — designing behavior modification plans and alternative educational programming
• Associate psychologist at a state mental health center — facilitating behavior support plans for residential clients mainstreamed in local school system
• Principal at a state mental health hospital school for court-order placed students — evaluation and intervention
• Director of curriculum – federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program with thematic strands in Ecology, Economics, and Eco-culture/tourism
• Coordinator of GEARUP MS — to increase matriculation from high school into post-secondary training in 32 districts
• Assistant superintendent of alternative programming in Tulsa
• School Improvement Officer for a district in school conservatorship

Over the last decade, Dr. Jeter has been honored by invitations to present at state, regional and national professional conferences for numerous organizations. The topics of his presentations focused upon themes related to academic and behavioral strategies that assist children who are challenged by low socioeconomics, dysfunctional homes, and limited support from successful role models.

Dr. Jeter currently teaches in the online Master of Education Administration Program at Mississippi College. He is married to Brenda B. Jeter, a graduate and former instructor of Mississippi College, and now Head of School for the Les Enfants early childhood program at Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans. Dr. Jeter enjoys frequent contact with family, mentors young people in the community, attends the Church at Battle Creek in Broken Arrow, Okla., online and enjoys attending local artistic performances.

James A. Stewart is a Natchez resident and local businessman.