Jackson School Board grants easement to MoDOT for turn-lane project

Work is expected to start in the spring to put in a turn lane near Jackson Middle School.

The school board voted to grant an easement to the Missouri Department of Transportation during its meeting Monday night.

The project, funded through the department, will widen Route D by five feet and put in a turn lane, said superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson. The nearby sidewalk will also be moved, he said.

"It's needed," said board member Dan Stover. "It's very needed."

The middle school, which opened in 1995, has about 15 minutes of high traffic and congestion before and after school, Anderson said.

The district is working with the department to alleviate a similar problem at South Elementary on Highway 25. Once funds are secured, the department will put in a turn lane and traffic signal at the school entrance.

During the meeting, the board also approved filing dates for school board candidates. Filing will begin Dec. 15 and will continue during board office business hours until Jan. 19.

Stover and board member Gerald Adams are up for re-election for three-year terms. Both said they are planning to run in the April 6 election.

Adams is also seeking the Republican nomination in the 157th Missouri House District to replace Rep. Scott Lipke, who can't run for re-election because of term limits.

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