JACKSON SCHOOLS BID FAREWELL TO EDUCATOR WITH 31-YEAR CAREER

JACKSON - The Jackson R-2 school board accepted the resignation Tuesday of a veteran educator who will retire at the end of the school year. Jackson High School art teacher, Herb Wickham, will close out his 31-year teaching career in June.

"I feel like we're losing one of our traditions," said Assistant School Superintendent Fred Jones. "He's going to be missed."

Wickham started his teaching career at Jackson High School in 1960. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1955 with a major in physical education. He received his master's degree from the University of Missouri in 1964.

While in college, he decided to take an art course. He liked art and stayed with it the rest of his educational career. In addition to teaching art, Wickham also painted and had many of his works featured at art exhibitions, including the Missourian Art Exhibition.

In July 1971, he was the special guest artist at the Missourian Art Exhibition.

After graduation, Wickham became a varsity football coach and track coach at Poplar Bluff before coming to Jackson.

In addition to his teaching career, Wickham served in the Missouri Army National Guard. He retired in 1986 with the rank of colonel.

Jones recalled that when Wickham came to Jackson in 1960, he (Jones) was a high school student there. Later, he served as a classroom teacher with Wickham, and for the last 5 years has been Wickham's "boss."

Jones said Wickham has a reputation as a classroom teacher that is noted throughout Southeast Missouri. He called Wickham, "a very solid, well-respected teacher, a leader in many aspects who has served the school district with distinction."

Superintendent Wayne Maupin said Wickham has chaired at least two North Central Association evaluation committees in the district. The most recent was this year. "He approached his duties as chairman in a very professional manner," said Maupin.

In other board business, Maupin reported the city has granted the district a special use permit to construct the new Bus Transport Center, near the Orchard Drive Elementary School. Maupin said he is now meeting with the architect to finalize the design plan and cost estimate. "We're going to move on this as soon as possible," he added.

The board authorized the administration to seek bids for the sale of a 1,000-gallon LP gas storage tank at the Millersville elementary school and a television tower located at the West Lane Elementary School. Maupin said both are no longer needed and will generate additional money for the school district.

Maupin reported the district received a check for $18,500 from its insurance carrier for the school bus that was involved in a collision Feb. 5 on Route OO, five miles west of Gordonville. Maupin said the bus was totaled and will be replaced by a new school bus.

The board set March 26 as the date for a closed-door meeting to discuss the re-employment of the school district's certified staff. The executive session will begin at 7:30 p.m., following the regular open meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

The board accepted the resignation of school bus driver Charles Peters, who is resigning because of health problems. Peters has been a driver for the district for 20 years.