IMMUNIZATION REPORT BOOSTS SCHOOL

JACKSON - The Jackson School District received an "A" on the state student immunization report.

Superintendent Wayne Maupin told the Jackson School Board Tuesday the district is now in full compliance with the state immunization program that requires all students be immunized within 30 days after the start of school.

"It is certainly a major effort each fall, and most of that effort is made by our three school nurses," said Maupin. "They visit homes and try to track down records. If a student is not in compliance by the deadline, or does not have a signed exemption on file, the state requires that we must exclude that student from attending classes."

According to the report, of the 3,561 students in the district, 3,494 are now immunized against Diphtheria, while another 20 students are in the process of receiving their shots. Forty-seven students submitted exemptions, mostly for religious reasons.

The report said 3,513 students received their polio shots, another 11 are completing the series, and 37 students have been exempted from taking the shots.

A total of 793 students have received two doses of measles vaccine, while 2,711 others have been adequately immunized with one dose. Another 57 students were exempted from immunization.

The report said 3,521 students have been immunized for Rubella, and 57 have been exempted.

Nearly all of the students, 3,509, have been immunized for mumps. At this time, the state does not require mumps immunization. But Maupin said beginning in the 1993-94 school year, mumps immunization will become mandatory.

Maupin said starting with the 1993-94 school year, the state will reduce from 30 to 15 days the amount of time the district has after the start of school to complete student immunization requirements.

Maupin also said the religious exemption to immunization provision will probably be gone by next fall.

In other business, the board approved an amended capital improvements project list for the 1992-93 school year. Maupin said most of the projects have already been completed, while others are still under way. The larger projects include the recently completed exterior covering and re-roofing of the administration building on Oklahoma Street, at a cost of $21,154; replacement of science lab tables and lockers at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School, at a cost of $16,000; and a new dishwasher at the junior high school cafeteria.

The estimated cost of the previously approved capital projects list is $82,990. Added to the list on Tuesday were property improvement projects to both playing fields at the junior high school, at a cost of $10,000.

Maupin noted all of the projects are financially "on target."