JACKSON SCHOOLS TO SEEK BOND ISSUE, LEVY HIKE

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Education will seek voter approval of a bond issue and tax increase for construction projects and to cover operating costs.

The board voted 6-0 Tuesday night to place two resolutions on the April 4 ballot. Board member Jack Knowlan did not attend the meeting.

One resolution calls for an $11 million bond issue to fund construction of an elementary school in the eastern part of the district, cover costs to build an addition and complete various renovations to R.O. Hawkins Junior High School, and equip the buildings and add technological equipment throughout the district. The issue would result in a 15-cent increase in the debt service levy to 61 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

The other resolution calls for elimination of the Proposition C sales-tax waiver and increase of the operating tax levy by 40 cents to $3.15 per $100 assessed valuation to cover the hiring of staff, purchase of textbooks and library books, and cover utility and transportation costs.

The two resolutions would increase property taxes a total of 55 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

Superintendent Ron Anderson said the issues were necessary because of the district's growth in the past five years. The district has grown by an average of about 3 percent annually to its present 4,300-plus enrollment, he said. Buildings are becoming crowded despite the opening of South Elementary School less than two years ago, said Anderson.

"It's something that people are very aware of," Anderson said. "The district has been fairly efficient at managing the growth, and that's something we will continue to do."

If voters approve the bond issue, Anderson said there would be no change in current grade configurations. Nor are there plans to close any of the district's seven other elementary buildings, he said.

The issue would be repaid over a 20-year period.

A land purchase agreement was finalized last week on a 16.3-acre site adjacent to the planned extension of Lacey Street between Main and Ridge streets in Jackson. The site would cost $326,000 and would accommodate a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade elementary school with an enrollment of 550 to 600 students.

The building would cost an estimated $5 million to build.

"As we look forward, we're really crowded at North and we know additional space is needed, despite the fact South Elementary was just opened a year and a half ago," said Anderson.

Upgrades to the junior high would include additional classrooms as well as widening of existing hallways and expansion of the cafeteria. Lighting and parking improvements also are planned. The project would cost an estimated $5,452,019 to complete.

"Of the scenarios we considered, this is the lower scenario, which means we will have to continue being very efficient to continue serving students," said board president Dr. T. Wayne Lewis. "This is very minimal to meet the needs of students."

School officials said the operating tax levy increase is necessary to continue attracting qualified teachers and paying the district's regular day-to-day costs. Salaries comprise the bulk of the district's budget, which grows every year to accommodate salary increases and the additional employees hired to meet growth needs, they said.

"The levy side is very important," Anderson said. "You have a substantial outlay of expenditures whenever you add a school, and the numbers pretty much tell the story.