JACKSON CANDIDATES FORUM ATTRACTS 30

JACKSON -- Tuesday night's questions covered everything from Outcome-Based Education to teacher pay scales, and three Jackson School Board candidates had to come up with the answers.

The American Business Women's Association sponsored a "Meet the School Board Candidates" forum at the Jackson Junior High School library. The ABWA sponsors the event each election year.

Member Vanita Jones said the 30 people who turned out this year far outnumbered last year's crowd.

Part of the reason was that this year's race is contested. Incumbents Marvin Adams and Jeanette Bollinger are running against newcomer Jewell Beauchamp.

Adams, a former elementary counselor for Jackson elementary schools and college basketball coach, is now an insurance agent.

Bollinger, a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau County, graduated Jackson High School. She has two children, one of whom is a teacher in Jackson.

Beauchamp, a former teacher in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools, described himself as a "grumpy grandpa." Six of his children went through the Jackson school system. He stressed during the forum that he couldn't be as informed on all the issues, since Bollinger and Adams already serve on the board.

Susanna Baylon, anchorwoman for KFVS-TV, moderated the event. The questions came from interested voters who sent them to the ABWA, and the first one addressed school regulations aimed at stemming potential gang activity.

Bollinger said the school system had a dress code, and most students had no problem adhering to it. However, there hasn't been a gang problem in Jackson so far.

Adams agreed, citing a conversation he had with Jackson Police Chief Marvin Sides, who allegedly said the gang problem in Cape Girardeau County hadn't yet reached Jackson.

But he said the schools weren't immune to the possibility, and he suggested the board would adopt defensive measures before the problem arose.

Beauchamp added that dress codes enhanced the school environment, taught students respect for themselves and discouraged "gang uniforms."

Bollinger had a lengthy answer to a question regarding the future of the high school.

She said she didn't like that the facility was in the middle of town and would like to see a new one built away from downtown.

The current high school is landlocked. Adams noted that the buildings are old, and an architect said they couldn't be expanded. Any solution to the problems would reach into taxpayer's pocketbooks.

On issues concerning the Parents As Teachers program and sex education in Jackson schools, Beauchamp stressed the importance of parents in their children's education. He said only a return to Biblical values would curb the problem of sex among Jackson's youth.

After Baylon asked all the prepared questions, the floor was open to the audience. Two parents asked about Outcome-Based Education, a relatively new idea that stresses team teaching and less reliance on grades as a meter of progress.

Adams and Bollinger said they would have to do more research on OBE before expressing an opinion. Beauchamp said he believed in traditional teaching methods and grading.

Another audience member asked the three to talk about the issues dear to their hearts during this election.

Beauchamp said teaching should be the most respected profession. He said teachers, while carrying the burdens of society, affect many lives and put in more hours than people in industry.

"It's time we as parents and grandparents sit down with teachers and try to work out something where everyone can benefit," Beauchamp said.

Bollinger said she wanted to stay on the board while the group determined a way to furnish the computer lab at the new middle school with computers. She also wants to create a better vocational-technical program to serve Jackson students who aren't bound for college.

Adams said he hoped to figure out a way to accommodate the incredible growth in the school district and how to keep up with today's technology. He added that the new superintendent, Dr. Howard Jones, should be able to help the district in finding funding to offer new, modern programs.

The election will be Tuesday, April 4.