Jackson Academy President Cliff Kling has announced that Jack F. Milne has been named Vice President and Dean of the School. Milne will fill the role of senior administrator overseeing academics, arts, athletics, and student life upon the retirement of JA’s current Headmaster, Pat Taylor, in May 2017.
“Jack brings a wealth of experience and an impressive skill set to Jackson Academy after having served for 16 years at one of our country’s leading independent schools, The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida,” said Kling. “During the interview process, it was immediately very obvious to the search committee that his student-centered philosophy, his teaching background, his relational skills, and his leadership experience are an excellent fit for Jackson Academy.”
“When Caroline and I first set foot on the Jackson Academy campus, we could immediately sense that this was an energetic, progressive, caring, student-centered school,” said Milne. “That impression was affirmed when we saw the looks on the students’ faces and their interaction with their dedicated faculty, as well as in our meetings with the search committee and other school leaders. We were made to feel so welcomed by everyone, and both of us truly believe this is a calling to a premier independent school that will result in not only professional growth, but also spiritual growth. While I know I have immense shoes to fill in following Pat Taylor, holding a number of different teaching and administrative positions during the past 16+ years has been personally and professionally rewarding and has helped prepare me for this challenging role. Caroline and I are excited, honored, and thankful about becoming members of the Jackson Academy community and pledge to work daily to make a positive contribution to the school.”
Having felt called to be a teacher, and excelling at both teaching and administration, Milne has served at The Bolles School since 2000. The Bolles School is a selective boarding and day school serving 1,750 students in grades PK to 12 on three campuses. He taught Economics, Economics and the Law, and U.S. History for four years before becoming Associate Head of School for Student Life. After 10 years as Associate Head, he was tapped to lead the Middle School campus. During his years as Associate Head, Milne continued to teach a senior elective, “History of the American Civil War and Reconstruction.” In 2004, he was awarded The Bolles School Dewan Teaching Fellow Award.
Milne has a particular interest in fostering the development of character and moral courage as part of students’ preparation for college and life beyond. “Today more than ever it is essential that our educational institutions, in partnership with parents and communities, work to help instill in our youth a moral force of character and to give them the inspiration to carry out honorable and compassionate acts. This must begin with our own acknowledgement and demonstration that every child in the school matters, and that each has gifts that are brought to the table. It is incumbent upon us to recognize the existence of those gifts and help the student likewise identify and maximize them,” he said.
Among numerous areas of service, he was faculty sponsor of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, board member of the YMCA and YMCA Camp Immokalee, board member of the Jacksonville Humane Society, member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and trustee and chair of the Board of Trustees for St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School.
Milne graduated high school in Jacksonville and then attended college on a football scholarship at Vanderbilt University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History. He also holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law.
Milne and his wife Caroline, a registered nurse, are the parents of three adult children. Their daughter Caroline is a 2011 graduate of Tulane University College of Law with her undergraduate degree in 2004 from New York University; son John is a 2010 graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; and daughter Emily is a 2015 graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
“I look forward to being able to introduce Jack and Caroline to you personally as they become members of the JA community in the upcoming school year,” said Kling. “I also express my gratitude to the members of the search committee for the wisdom, care, prayer, and time each of them devoted to the search process.”
Search Committee
- Cliff Kling, President
- Pat Taylor, Headmaster
- Angie Antici, Vice President for Finance & Operations
- Peter Jernberg, President Emeritus
- Ashley Willson, Class of 1987, Board Chair
- Greg Johnston, Class of 1991, Board Vice Chair
- Randy James, Board Member
- Ed Kennedy, Board Member
- Sandra McKay, Upper School English Teacher
- Lindsey Roberson, Class of 2003, First Grade Teacher
