GRANT HELPS TO HIRE NURSES, SOCIAL WORKER

JACKSON, Mo. -- A grant of $81,000 has been given to the Jackson School District to hire more nurses and a social worker, school officials announced during a board meeting Tuesday.

The grant will help the district assist both physical and mental health needs of at-risk students better, said Beth Emmendorfer, district director of special education.

The grant money, which is renewable, will be for salaries, she said.

Having the additional staff will allow the district to provide an individualized health care plan for students with special needs.

The new social worker position will be geared toward working with parents and students both to eliminate learning barriers.

Coordinating counseling services for families in need will also be part of the counselor's job, Emmendorfer said.

The board also approved a 3.5 percent increase in the teachers' salary schedule for the upcoming school year.

The adjustments were made possible by shrinking the gaps in pay between levels, although salaries at early levels grew.

School lunch prices for students in grades six through 12 were increased by 25 cents to $1.75. Costs for lunches in lower grades were unchanged at $1.25.

Superintendent Ron Anderson explained that the increase reflects an anticipated growth in related costs for providing school lunches, such as transportation and gasoline.