`POSITIVE': NORTH CENTRAL PANEL HAS GOOD REPORT FOR JACKSON

~Correction: JACKSON - An article concerning a planned Jackson R-2 School District bus and maintenance garage in Wednesday's Missourian contained incorrect information.

It should have said the district originally wanted to build the garage on school property on East Lane directly east of the R.O. Hawkins Junior High School. The request was withdrawn because of opposition from neighbors.

The district now plans to build the facility on property just east of the new elementary school.

The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.

JACKSON The administration, staff, and students of Jackson High School received a "positive" report card Monday, from a visiting evaluation team of the North Central Association of Secondary and Elementary Schools and Colleges.

The association accredits schools that meet its educational standards and criteria.

School Superintendent Wayne Maupin said the 28-member team, headed by Dr. Willard Morgan of Southeast Missouri State University, began their evaluation Sunday. It continued Monday, and ended Tuesday evening with an exit conference with the school board and administration.

"Dr. Morgan told the board and the administration the evaluation was very positive; that the team was very excited about Jackson High School and were very impressed with our program of studies, staff, and students," Maupin said, following Monday's regular school board meeting.

Maupin said the evaluation actually began over a year ago, with a self-study of the high school by the administration and faculty.

"When the team arrived Sunday, they evaluated our self-study, and reviewed all facets of the high school program, including facilities, (buildings) curriculum, health services, guidance, administration, staff, variety of curriculum offering, and the (educational) climate in the school," Maupin explained. "It's an A-Z evaluation. It covers everything."

Maupin said during the last high school evaluation, which occurs on a seven-year cycle, concerns were raised about the lack of adequate facilities. "This was before we built the new elementary school, the multi-purpose gym, and the Central Elementary School," he said. "We were cramped for space. It had a negative impact on all our programs, class size, and morale. It restricted us on what we could offer."

In other business, the school board adopted a prioritized list of capital improvement projects for the 1991-92 school year. Estimated cost of the eight projects is $127,369. Maupin said all are affordable.

Much of the proposed work would be centered at the high school campus. At the top of the list is a $37,500 project to re-roof the senior high school building that holds classes in agriculture, music, and home economics. Other projects in order, are: sand, seal and refinish the senior high school gym floor at an estimated cost of $7,500; upgrade plumbing and electrical facilities in the high school gym, $4,000; repair/replace damaged ceiling areas in the high school gym, $11,930; re-paint the interior of the high school gym, $1,000; tuck point and waterproof the high school gym, $4,000; purchase computer hardware and accessories for the high school computer lab, $59,750; and purchase a new six-foot mower for the district-owned tractor, $1,679.

Maupin said the special education facilities and library at the junior high school were not included because they are still under study for upgrading and improvement. Recommendations to the board on these projects will be made later.

Because of an error made in calculating bids on new school bus chassis for two 66-passenger buses, the board re-considered, then awarded the low bid to Wiethop Truck Sales of Cape Girardeau. Wiethop's bid was $37 lower than that submitted by Cooney Truck Sales of Sikeston.