An official with the Bibb County School District in Georgia has confirmed that Pine Bluff Police Chief Brenda Davis-Jones was approved for a job by the district’s school board, but has not been extended a contract offer.
Donald Porter, director of public relations for the school district, said Davis-Jones was recommended for the job of police chief by Romain Dallemand, the district superintendent, and there is currently no time frame for extending a contract to her.
Porter did not have information Monday afternoon on when Davis-Jones applied for the position or when she was interviewed.
A call to Dallemand’s office Monday was referred to the district’s Public Relations Department.
On Saturday, a police department press release from Capt. Greg Shapiro quoted Davis-Jones as saying that she had not been offered or accepted a job with the school district, and “continues to serve as the Chief of Police for the Pine Bluff Police Department.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The school district website listed Davis-Jones on a page of “New Administrators for the 2012-2013 School Year” and said she had been recommended for Campus Police Chief.
The website also indicated that even though the persons listed had been approved by the board for employment, contracts may not have been extended to them.
Susan Middleton, vice president for the Bibb County School District Board of Directors, said Monday that hiring recommendations for district positions are made by the superintendent, who runs the district’s day-to-day operations.
According to the open.georgia.gov website, Stephanie Prather, who is listed as interim police chief for the Bibb County School District, is paid $67,759.82 annually.
The school district operates 45 schools and has an enrollment of 24,968 students.
Before taking the job as police chief in Pine Bluff in 2010, Davis-Jones was the chief of police/director of environmental safety at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga. Before that, she worked for the Macon, Ga., Police Department where she attained the rank of major in charge of the Youth and Intervention Service Division. Macon is located in Bibb County.
In Pine Bluff, Davis-Jones replaced former chief John Howell, who was fired by Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr.
On Saturday, Redus said the police department news release reflected the position of the city on the matter and “if anything changes, we will let you know.”
The district website said the position of police chief was advertised on the district website beginning May 2 and 15 candidates applied for the job. The selection process included a review of applications, screening interviews and interviews with a panel of district personnel, public safety supervisors and officers.