JACKSON GREETS 150 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS ON FIRST DAY

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Jackson welcomes 150 additional students on the first day of school Wednesday

JACKSON Jackson public schools welcomed about 150 more students on the first day of classes Wednesday than it did on the first day of school last year.

The student count was about twice the number school officials had anticipated.

Superintendent Wayne Maupin said Wednesday afternoon that the enrollment for kindergarten through grade 12th grade this year is 3,574. Last year the opening day attendance was 3418, an increase of 156 students.

Maupin said he expected about 50 or 75 new students, the increase experienced by the district for the past several years. "We knew our enrollment would increase," he said. "But we didn't expect quite that many."

Maupin said the new students are spread throughout the system. "We don't anticipate hiring new staff at this time."

"For the first time it appears we have three of our classes, kindergarten, seventh and 10th grade, all with enrollments over 300," Maupin said.

The superintendent said enrollment usually increases slightly after the start of school. "We may have more coming," he said. "We will take another official count on Sept. 9."

"We have a lot of new kids and families moving to the school district," Maupin said. "They seem to be coming from all over the district."

Maupin said the first day of classes went well. "It's almost scary, it's been so smooth," he said. "This is my fifth year as superintendent. This may be the smoothest day for opening day."

He credited the weather for part of the success. "We didn't have a blistering day. It was kind of warm and humid, but nothing like we've had in the past.

"I'd say all teams are playing well. It's a good start."