JONES WILL LEAVE JACKSON DISTRICT; SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH TO BEGIN

JACKSON -- Dr. Howard Jones, superintendent of the Jackson School District, will retire from the district July 1.

The Jackson Board of Education accepted his retirement during a special board meeting Tuesday night.

Board members also authorized Jones to enter into contract negotiations with the Missouri School Boards Association to handle the search for a new superintendent. The organization also has contracted with Cape Girardeau School District to find a replacement for Dr. Dan Tallent, who is leaving the district June 30.

"We accept Dr. Jones' letter of retirement with regrets," Jackson board president Jack Knowlan Jr. said. "It goes without saying that we are very appreciative of the job he has done."

Jones, who is serving his fourth year in the district, announced his intention to school board members after a board meeting Oct. 13.

Jones said his decision was based in part on other administrative openings at school districts of similar size around the state. Cape Girardeau, Crystal City and Farmington school districts, among others, are conducting superintendent searches this year.

"I was getting concerned about the number of openings around the state that were within our size group," said Jones. "I didn't want (board members) to be in a situation where the other positions would be filled, because there is somewhat of a shortage for qualified superintendents."

Jones said the fact that both he and the school district are at transitional stages also supported his decision to retire. The district has recently completed several construction projects and a Missouri School Improvement Program review. While planning for future MSIP reviews and district growth needs, the timing is right for new leadership, he said.

Also, after 35 years as an educator -- the majority of which were spent in administration -- Jones said he is ready for a less demanding job in the field.

"When I came I said it'd probably be five years, maybe longer," he said. "If I were 25 years into this career instead of 35 years into this career, there would be no reason for me to look elsewhere. I figured the time was right for the board to enter a new phase with new leadership."

Jones was hired in January 1995 to replace longtime Jackson schools superintendent Wayne Maupin. Board members at the time said he was hired largely because of his experience in long-term planning.

Jones is credited with helping to develop a new construction plan to correct problems students and educators faced due to the district's rapid growth, lack of space and high pupil-to-teacher ratio. The plan resulted in voter approval of a $7.8 million bond issue in 1996 that financed construction of the recently opened Science and Math Building and South Elementary School, as well as a 10-room addition to North Elementary School.

Jones received his doctorate in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His first job was superintendent in Sedalia School District. Later he took a position with the Missouri School Boards Association.

After deciding he wanted to work more directly with students, he accepted a superintendency in Stillwater, Okla., in 1993. He held the position two years before assuming leadership of Jackson schools.

Jones and his wife, Dona, have three grown children.