PUSH UNDERWAY TO PROMOTE BOND ISSUE IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- Mailboxes will be filled and phones will be ringing soon in Jackson homes as the 40 members of the Support Jackson R-2 Education Committee remind voters about a proposed school bond issue.

Voters in the Jackson R-2 School District will decide the fate of a proposed $7.8 million bond issue at the polls on Aug. 6. A public forum is planned July 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Middle School Cafeteria to answer questions about the bond issue.

Bond revenue would fund the construction of a new math and science building, additional classrooms at North Elementary School and a new elementary school at Boehme Lane and Highway 25.

If approved, property taxes would increase by 20 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Property owners with a $70,000 home would pay less than $30 more in taxes each year.

The upcoming election will be critical for the district, said Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones. "With the growth we are experiencing, time is of the essence."

The Jackson district has grown about 3 percent each year during the past six years. Enrollment jumped 5.5 percent from the 1994-95 to 1995-96 school years.

But needing extra space for classrooms isn't the only reason for the bond issue, Jones said. "Really, it's two elements -- a quantity issue and quality issue. We want to address both the instructional areas where students work and create better teaching environments."

Teachers in the Jackson district support the bond and donated $200 through the Community Teachers Association Tuesday to help with mailing and information distribution costs.

Kathy Casteel, who heads the support committee, said its members will be reminding voters to got to the polls on Aug. 6.

"Jackson has always supported its schools," she said. "We want all our schools to be good and strong. It's not extravagant."

If approved, the bond will allow the district to handle increasing enrollment and add flexibility for expansion.