JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD TO SET LONG-TERM GOALS

JACKSON -- The Jackson School Board will meet in special session May 31 to study and discuss long-term facility and curriculum needs for the school district. The board voted to hold the special meeting at its regular meeting Tuesday.

The board also heard an update from school nurses on major changes in Missouri's school immunization law that becomes effective when school begins in late August.

Superintendent Wayne Maupin said the special meeting of the board next week will give the administration and the board time to discuss critical issues the board must deal with in the next few years.

Most of the problems the board will discuss/study are related to the explosive growth the Jackson School District has experienced the past 5-10 years. Among them:

-- Overcrowded classrooms and outdated lab facilities in the high school math and science departments.

-- Overcrowded conditions and a high pupil-teacher ratio in the lower elementary grades as enrollment in those grades continues to grow each year.

-- An increasing number of junior and senior high school students enrolling in foreign language courses.

At the meeting, School Nurse Cheryl Litzelfelner briefed the board on changes in Missouri's school immunization law.

She said at least 275 junior high school students are required to have their 10-year tetanus booster shot before entering school. Only 120 students have had the shots.

Of the 249 children who will enter kindergarten in August, only 72 have complied with the changes in the law.

Because there no longer is a 15-day grace period after the start of school for students to get their required shots, Litzelfelner said school nurses will work through the summer months to contact parents to ensures students are ready for school.

She said that any student who hasn't had the required shots will not be allowed to enter school without an updated, valid medical or religious exemption statement.

In other business, the board approved the lone bid of State Farm Insurance for renewal of the school district's insurance policy on district-owned vehicles, at a cost of $17,533.50. School Superintendent Wayne Maupin said the premium is somewhat higher this year because of claims made last year.

The board also renewed the depository agreement that continues to alternate district funds between Capital Bank and Boatman's Bank.