JACKSON'S SCHOOL BOARD APPOROVES FLOOR PLANS FOR PROPOSED BUILDING

JACKSON -- Pending approval of the proposed $4.7 million bond issue by district voters on April 6, the Jackson school board now has plans in place for the layout of a new middle school.

The school board accepted the tentative floor plans for the 84,000-square-foot building at Tuesday night's meeting. A 57 percent voter approval on the bond measure is needed to move ahead with the project.

The Jackson Junior High and West Lane Elementary buildings are crowded with anywhere from 25-33 students per classroom.

The recommended solution is to build a new middle school for sixth and seventh grade students in order to relieve crowded conditions at the junior high and West Lane. This solution was proposed by the Board of Education and recommended by a Citizens' Advisory Committee.

The proposed building, to be located at the corner of Broadridge Avenue and Route D, would consist of 24 regular classrooms, music rooms, a library, cafeteria, gymnasium, special education rooms, industrial arts, home economics, science rooms, art rooms and offices.

It would be built on a 26-acre tract that would cost the district $1,200 an acre. The bond issue would be used for construction, equipment and to purchase the property. These is no projected tax increase at this time.

Project architect John Dudley presented the board with revised floor plans Tuesday. Revisions include more space in the cafeteria and administrative offices, a 600-capacity single-story bleacher arrangement in the gymnasium and several adaptations to the roof design to camouflage utility equipment.

Board member Marvin Adams commended the efforts of Dudley, architect Bob Stearnes and Superintendent Wayne Maupin in their efforts with the plans for the proposed middle school.

"Everything the (advisory) committee asked for in the new school they received, and a little more," Adams said. "We ought to have a very happy committee."

If the bond measure passes, excavation efforts will begin early this summer.

The board was also reminded of the necessity of the middle school through a report given by district principals Joe Crain and Stan Smee. The men presented a list to the board breaking down the number of students per teacher in their respective schools. The average number of students was 28.

In other business, the board approved dates for the end of school year. Students had to be let out later this year because of seven snow days taken by the district during the recent bad weather.

The dates are:

Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 23, 7:30 p.m. in the High School Gym;

Commencement, Tuesday, June 1, 7:30 p.m., at the High School Stadium (weather permitting);

Last day of attendance, Wednesday, June 2;

Teacher workday, Thursday, June 3.

"This will meet all state and district requirements for the school year," Maupin told the board.

Members also approved $57,350 worth of proposed capital improvements throughout the district for the 1993-94 budget year. Improvements include resurfacing the outdoor track, purchasing and installing air conditioning units in 12 annex classrooms, refinishing junior high physical education lockers, replacing window shades at the high school and repairing the high school boiler.

The board accepted the resignation of Rebecca Robinson, a first grade teacher at Orchard School. Robinson resigned for family reasons.