EDUCATION: JACKSON SUPERINTENDENT REACHES OUT TO SENIORS

JACKSON, Mo. -- Jackson senior citizens want school administrators to consider economical options and plan for the future before they ask residents to voluntarily increase their taxes.

About 25 people were on hand Thursday when schools Superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson pitched a $6 million bond issue that would ease overcrowding at R.O. Hawkins Junior High at the Jackson Senior Center. Although few questions were asked during the presentation, some residents said afterwards they weren't swayed by Anderson's appeal and did not plan to support the measure when they go to the polls Tuesday.

Many said they suspected financial mismanagement and other problems have occurred at the district in recent years, and that administrators are taking a piecemeal approach to improving buildings in the district. They said they didn't want to give more money to the district until a well-prepared plan that took into account several aging buildings at the high school campus and growth issues in every region of the district were addressed.

"They need to look ahead 10 or 15 years at least instead of just building for now," said one man who declined to give his name. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. Next year, they'll come back and say they need something else."

Others argued although enrollment growth has occurred in the school district, similar development growth in the community should have brought increased funding to the district by way of new real estate taxes.

Beverly Nelson, who frequents the senior center, disputed that argument. Growth in the school district and Jackson community has been on-going and likely will continue as people leave larger cities in search of small, "retirement-friendly" communities like Jackson. Increased assessed valuation resulting from the new residents simply will not cover all the costs of educating the district's record number of students, she said.

"The problem is people keep moving to Jackson. We are filled up and we need to do like motels and hang out a 'no vacancy' sign," said Nelson. "But that's not really something we can do, so we have to make the best of it and do what we have to. The kids need you, the town needs you to pass this bond issue."

For others, individual incomes were a major consideration. Many area senior citizens live on a fixed income and cannot afford the measure, which would increase the debt-service levy by 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

One woman, who declined to give her name, said she lives in an apartment but also would be negatively affected if the measure passes.

"My landlord has already told me if this thing passes, he will raise my rent to pass it along," she said. "Then somebody went and put up a sign in front of the apartment telling folks to vote for it. I won't support it."