Jackson schools look at expanding education services in the community

The Jackson School District is looking to expand its community education services.

The school board voted to pursue an evaluation to determine the community's education needs during a meeting Tuesday night.

Dr. Beth Emmendorfer, associate superintendent, said the district will collaborate with city officials, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Senior Center on the project.

The district has offered free computer classes for seven years. Emmendorfer said enrollment for those classes has gone down, signaling a change of direction in community interest. She said this is the first time the program has looked at broadening its scope.

"There's a lot of potential to expand," she said.

This year, the district added programs on Internet safety and workshops for parents of children with disabilities. Emmendorfer said the evaluation will look at several possibilities, including other topics, a fee structure and community members willing to teach.

She said there is no set procedure for the evaluation, but it could include surveys to measure public need.

In other action, superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson gave an update of the high school construction. He said classes will move into the art room this week. Workers are finishing electrical work and painting. He said the architects will make their final evaluations within the next few weeks.

The board also voted to elect three members to the board of directors of the Missouri Securities Investment Program, including Jackson School Board member Gerald Adams. The program is a cash management fund for school districts and municipalities.

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