JACKSON R-2 EARNS HIGH EVALUATIONS

JACKSON -- Public schools in Jackson earned high marks in two evaluations conducted this year.

But recommendations from each review to "make a good school even better" require more money money the district does not have, said Jackson Superintendent Wayne Maupin.

The entire Jackson school system was reviewed by the Missouri School Improvement Program, a new state initiative for classifying school districts.

At the same time, Jackson High School underwent a North Central Association of Colleges and Schools re-evaluation. The North Central Association is the largest accrediting association in the United States and includes 19 states. Schools are re-evaluated every seven years. Only the high school was considered in this review.

The evaluation includes a self-study by the school's staff and a three-day visit by a team of educators from outside the district. Jackson High School was last evaluated in 1983.

The Jackson Board of Education will take action on acceptance of both reports at its next meeting on April 23.

Maupin said he was pleased with outcomes in both reports.

"I think the pride factor comes through in both reports," Maupin said. "We have a supportive board of education, administrators and an instructional staff and a supportive community that are all focused on the same task: providing the best educational program we can."

The state report says: "The fact that a number of essential elements necessary for a good school system work in exemplary concert in Jackson schools and community must be considered a major strength of the school system.

"Although these features may be and are found in a number of other schools, the extent to which they compliment each other at Jackson is unusual. These elements include ... high morale, low dropout ratio, good administrator~-teacher-board relationships, community support, the board's philosophy of school management and a sense of all pulling in the same direction."

Willard J. Morgan, chairman of the North Central Association review team and professor at Southeast Missouri State University, said "Jackson is an excellent school."

Morgan wrote in his summary report: "We noted that Jackson School District has an outstanding school program and that the school staff and administrators and the community are fully justified in their pride in this school system."

At the same time, both reports state concerns about a looming funding crunch for the district.

"In the near future, money will become a critical issue in the Jackson school system," said the state report. "Additional money will be required to maintain desirable pupil-teacher ratios, for which the district has made a major commitment, expansion of needed facilities and improvement of some existing buildings and continuation of current programs."

Morgan wrote in his summary of the North Central evaluation: "The majority of the recommendations made by the committee cannot be carried out without the expenditure of additional money.

"However, the committee also believed that if the recommendations were carried out, the effectiveness of the school program would be substantially improved and would provide for more adequate educational programs meeting the individual needs of the students."

Maupin said the district is in the process of reviewing the recommendations to see how they can be implemented.

"In the School Improvement Program we are required to submit a response plan to the state Board of Education to report how we plan to address the concerns. Some things we just won't be able to do. The board will have to continue to review those areas of concern, and, where financially feasible, we will attempt to address those concerns.

"The majority of concerns involve staff needs," Maupin said. "In the Missouri School Improvement Program they listed 19 concerns; 13 of them require a financial commitment.

"Right now we're not going to be able to do a whole lot with those items."

For example, the state report states: "Administrative services in elementary schools are lacking due to the number of administrators serving several attendance centers. There is no one designated to be in charge when a principal is not present in an elementary building."

It also states that an increasing student population and overcrowding impact the educational climate, especially at West Lane Elementary and the junior high.

The North Central review expressed concerns about computer access. "There appeared to be limited availability for students to use computers in all subject areas. It is recommended that consideration be given to purchase additional computers and software or a study be initiated to incorporate the utilization of existing computers in all appropriate areas of the curriculum."

Morgan said Jackson is a unique community, which is reflected in the school system.

"The stability of the student population is remarkable for the 1990s," Morgan wrote. For example, 65 percent of the senior class have attended schools in the district for seven or more years, and approximately 73 percent of the students live in homes with both natural parents.

"The relationship between the school and the community which it serves is excellent. There seems to be tremendous pride in the school system. Their pride is certainly reflected in the positive attitude of the student body.

"The recent success of a 78-cent tax levy to improve the schools is an additional indicator of the collective community support of the schools.

"The district administrative team works well with each other. The positive working conditions of the school is reflected in the low, teacher turnover. During the 1989-90 school year, there was not one staff resignation.

"A low dropout rate (4 percent) and high average daily attendance (95-96 percent) indicates a good instructional climate exists within the district."