Jackson school enrollment up again this year

Enrollment in the Jackson School District is up for the tenth consecutive year, with 64 new students taking classes this fall.

The official count, taken on Sept. 26, showed while there were decreases in the total amount of students in grades 1,3,5,8 and 11, all other grades showed increases for the this school year.

"Enrollment in our schools and in the parochial schools in this area continue to rise each year," Superintendent Ron Anderson said. "That is a sign of a healthy community."

He said the average growth rate for the district has been 3 percent for the past 10 years, which has caused the district to expand to meet the needs of the students.

"As long as parents and administrators feel small class sizes are a high priority, the district is going to have to accommodate for the higher numbers by adding new buildings and new staff," he said.

Since 1990, the district has opened new elementary and middle schools and added new buildings to the high school. Construction on a new wing for the junior high is currently underway and when finished will allow for an addition 1,000 students.

Anderson said the school board will continue to monitor the number of students and, with space growing tight, plan how the district can accommodate for more students in the future.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611 ext. 128