JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD REVIEWS MSBA POLICIES

JACKSON -- Darrell Hanschen carried his policy manual into the Jackson Board of Education meeting Tuesday like a student would carry books into a classroom.

Hanschen and other board members came prepared to work. They had spent the last two weeks reviewing Jackson school policies and how they relate to those outlined by the Missouri School Boards Association.

Each section of the MSBA policy book will be reviewed and approved by the board before next year.

"It's a mammoth manual," said Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones. "But the decision was to take two sections at each meeting."

Most of the items in the first sections were simply reviewed and revised according to specific requests made by the board. The meeting place, philosophy and mission statement were reviewed and accepted Tuesday.

"I saw nothing to argue with personally," Jones said. "It's designed to give some guidance."

Most of the policies in the MSBA manuals apply to issues that all school districts face. The benefit of accepting policies supported by the MSBA is that they have already been reviewed for legality, Jones said.

"It's good information," said Marvin Adams, board president, adding that he'd like to see more information circulated to teachers and staff.

In other business, the board discussed its 1995-96 goals and discussed topics for formulating 1996-97 goals.

"As you look back, it's interesting to see that you make more progress than you realize," Jones said. "The most important advantage is to keep plugging away."

The board will continue to form its 1996-97 goals at future meetings.

The board also approved a contract with the Easter Seal Society Early Learning Center for special education services and agreed to open an account at Boatmen's Bank but to continue its account with Union Planter's Bank.