JACKSON EXTENDS GIFTED PROGRAM TO YOUNGER CLASSES

JACKSON -- If a student isn't doing well in school, it doesn't always mean failure. But it is possible for students to lose interest in school before educators can find a way to reach them.

That's why the Jackson School District expanded its gifted-education program to younger students. The district hopes to identify younger students who qualify for the gifted program before they lose interest in school.

"It fulfills a need like other special programs," said Rose Tallent, principal at the Primary Annex.

Facilitators for the ALERT program discussed new student-parent handbooks during the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

Many times gifted students will lose interest in school and learning by the time they reach third or fourth grade, said Julie Walker, a gifted teacher for fourth through seventh grades. "This is an at-risk program and we hope to catch them."

The ALERT program serves students in kindergarten through seventh grade. Younger students are offered enrichment programs. High school students have an opportunity to participate in after-school gifted activities.

In other business, the school board approved the issuance of $7.8 million in general obligation bonds to fund school building projects.

Authorizing the sale of the bonds is a formality for the district. It allows L.J. Hart Co. to sell the bonds and deposit the proceeds into the school district's bank account.

More than one-third of the bonds were sold locally. The remainder were sold to Missouri investment companies, said Larry Hart.

The bond sales will fund construction projects for the district. With an increase of 100 new students during the first weeks of school, the Jackson School District will soon need new space.

The increased enrollment pushed the district total to 4,123 for the 1996-97 school year, said Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones. However, the increase is not as high as the 1995-96 year when more than 200 new students enrolled.

With funds from the bond sales, the school district will construct an addition at North Elementary, a new South Elementary school and a math and science addition at the high school.