Jackson High School's grant request turned down

The Work Investment Board of Southeast Missouri turned down Jackson High School's grant request for a new program that would have helped prepare special-needs students for employment upon graduation.

"We're very disappointed and very surprised," said Pamela Deneke, special services teacher, who helped write the grant.

"We felt we had a quality program and our district has shown success with grants in the past."

Deneke said the school will reapply next year.

Jackson High School principal Rick McClard said it was unfortunate, but "it's one of those things, where they had limited funds and had a lot of great programs."

McClard and Deneke outlined the program to the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and many area businessmen and women who showed interest in the program.

"It's not dead by any means," Deneke said.

"There's just such a need there that something has to be done."

The program was geared to teach special-needs students skills needed to land a job and help them get a part-time job their last semester of high school.

The school would provide supervision during that semester and the employer would agree to keep the student employed full time for one year after graduation.

The employer would be subsidized for 150 hours of work.