DISTRICT LOOKS AT LONG-RANGE NEEDS

JACKSON -- Long-term goals were the focus of the Jackson School Board during its meeting Tuesday evening.

According to administrators, changing needs for a rapidly growing district required planning and goal setting now in order to meet future needs.

"Long-range planning is required for some of the things we want to do in the future within the district," said Dr. Howard Jones, superintendent.

Jones said the district needed to consider adding personnel and reviewing job descriptions, and restructuring some current programs to fit the needs of the growing school district.

For example, he said, the board may need to look at adding a coordinator of special education to assist the guidance counselors with some of the problems and tight scheduling they have been having. Another position Jones said may need to be developed is an assistant director for buildings and grounds to help oversee new construction and perform maintenance on existing facilities.

Jones also said that he is currently reviewing options to better transport the growing population in outlying parts of the district. There has been some parental concern about the amount of time students spend on the bus coming to and from school, he said. Some students are spending as much as an hour on the bus, he said, and this is an area the district wants to try improve.

"It's easier to deal with the problem if you don't have to worry about cost," Jones said. "Our primary mission continues to be instruction, but at the same time, people rely on us for safe transportation for their kids."

Jones said the problem may be alleviated by the new construction, because elementary and secondary school bus routes could be created to service the different schools.

Jones announced the official filing process for school board elections had been moved up two weeks by state agencies. Individuals wishing to run for board membership should apply between Dec. 17 and Jan. 14. Regular office hours will be posted at the board of education so that people may file during Christmas break. The terms of Jack Knowlan Jr. and Larry Koenig will expire in April.

Jackson Board of Education

Nov. 19, 1996

Action Items

Consider Filing Dates and Times for School Board Members.

Consider District Positin/Job Descriptions and Operations Plan.

Consider Changes in District Curriculum Guides and Receive Curriculum Evaluation Update.

Executive session