JACKSON SCHOOL BOND ISSUE PASSES

JACKSON, Mo. -- The drought is over for the Jackson School District following voter approval of a $6 million bond issue to fund construction of a 20-classroom addition at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School.

Following the defeat of four funding measures earlier this year, a small group of school administrators, school board members and community supporters clung to the hope the third attempt would be successful as they awaited election results at the Cape Girardeau County Administration Building Tuesday night. They anxiously tallied results from each of the 13 districts considering the measure, then quickly worked percentages to determine whether they maintained the 57.14 percent so-called supermajority required for passage of the measure.

Their fears were not eased until results from the final precinct were reported at about 10:30 p.m. The measure was approved with a vote of 6,718, or 57.3 percent yes to 5,006 no. The bonds will mean a debt-service tax-levy increase of 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation for property owners and are to be repaid over 20 years.

"It came down to the wire," said school district Superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson. "Many people I talked to thought it would be close, but they thought it would be successful." Board of Education President Dr. T. Wayne Lewis called the measure's passage a "big step."

Despite his belief the funding was needed to ease overcrowding and eliminate the use of poorly ventilated classrooms in the building's basement, Lewis said he'd had doubts voters would approve the measure.

"In September, I knew I was committed to do it, but at that point I didn't think we could do it," Lewis said. "I'm glad enough people were able to give us the go ahead for those kids."

Lewis said voter approval of the measure represents renewed confidence in the Board of Education. The school board had been criticized earlier this year of not communicating with district patrons and working without long-range plans for containing enrollment growth and other issues.

"We've had time to talk with the people and we want to continue to do that," he said. "I think there's been a real growth for everyone from that standpoint."

Cindy Sanders of Jackson was among voters who supported the bond issue. She said she favored the measure because the need for improvements at the junior high school were obvious.

"That school has been there forever," she said. "Jackson has just grown so big, and the school needs to grow with it."

It will take 18 to 24 months to complete the project, which is expected to cost about $5.7 million for construction of an 18-classroom addition, expansion of the library and kitchen areas, and a new gymnasium. Any additional funding would be used to purchase classroom furniture and equipment for the junior high school and technological equipment districtwide.