JACKSON SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATE

In our last update, we presented the priority recommendations of the Facilities Review Committee. These items were presented to address the facility needs of our district resulting from sustained growth over the past few years, as well as projected growth continuing to the year 2000.

The patrons of the Jackson R-2 School District have historically demonstrated great pride and commitment to their schools by approving construction projects proposed by the Board of Education. Most recently, patrons approved a bond issue which financed the construction of the Jackson Middle School.

This school has impressed many as one of the finest examples anywhere of an excellent blend of attractive looks, efficiency and cost-effective construction. For those who have not had the opportunity to tour this facility, I would encourage you to do so. As we consider future classroom additions, we are looking for the same "utilitarian" design. We are very pleased that Mr. John Dudley, who designed the Middle School, is serving as architect in our current planning efforts.

In the next few updates, we will attempt to explain more completely the current priority needs and describe our proposed solutions. Possibly the most significant piece of the puzzle is the proposed new science and math building for the high school campus.

As we began the evaluation of the campus, we could not help but note that we are out of space. We looked at enrollment projections that indicate that the high school numbers will increase by approximately 100 students for the 1996-97 school year -- even if we do not receive new students into the district. The bottom line is that we need additional instructional and support areas. It is our judgment that the classrooms currently used for science are the most outdated and over-crowded.

By constructing new science laboratory/lecture areas and additional math classrooms, we can free up the current math and science spaces to be remodeled as additional social studies, English, foreign language and other classrooms, thus easing the overcrowding in all departments and programs. Conceptual plans present a new building which would be located between the original high school and the building which houses the music, vocational agriculture/home economics and industrial arts departments, and would face Missouri Street on the east. A request would be made for closing of the current block of Madison Street between Missouri and Russell Streets to traffic.

The proposed new building would house eight modern science classrooms. Each of these rooms would be large enough that some students could work on an individual lab assignment while others work at desks doing written work. These lab/classrooms would include all of the safety items required in new laboratories. Networked computers would also be in the master plan.

With our national concern about our students' preparation in math and science, it was our desire to focus on this area, and to place these two departments in the same general location for joint studies and shared technology.

Seven math rooms would be housed in the building along with a teacher preparation room. Another concern in recent years is handicapped accessibility as addressed in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proposed building would include an elevator to the second floor, and with a connecting hall to the original high school building, this would provide a back-up elevator on the southwest corner of the old building. More accessible office and conference areas are also included in preliminary plans.

We believe we have outstanding math and science teachers and students at Jackson High School, and that they do wonders in limited classrooms. It is our goal to provide the learning environment that makes it possible for JHS students to achieve at international standards. We know our patrons want this same level of excellence.

As we finalize conceptual plans for our facility improvements, we will hold public forums to present details and to answer questions. Please take advantage of these meetings to become informed. In our next update we will discuss our needs at the elementary level.

Howard Jones is superintendent of the Jackson R-2 Public Schools.