R-2 BOARD DISCUSSES ENROLLMENT

JACKSON - The Jackson R-2 Board of Education expressed concern and frustration Tuesday over a rising student-teacher ratio in elementary classrooms for the new school year.

The board also heard more information on the Proposition B Economic Survival Act (for schools) of 1991 that could help reduce class sizes. The proposal will go to voters in November.

School Superintendent Wayne Maupin said as of Tuesday total enrollment in the district was 3,481 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. That's an increase of 59 students over the 3,422 enrolled at this time last year.

Maupin said there was a significant increase this year at the R.O. Hawkins Junior High School, where 851 students were present Tuesday. "We've had a real bulge in enrollment in the junior high school," Maupin said.

Board members speculated some of the unexpected students may be coming into the district from St. Paul's Lutheran School in Jackson while others are moving into the district.

Maupin said enrollment in kindergarten this year is 274 students.

Other enrollment figures released Tuesday include: Jackson High School, 839 students; West Lane Elementary, 614 students; Orchard Elementary, 538 students; Millersville, 85 students; Gordonville, 74 students; Burfordville, 46 students; and North Elementary, 160 students.

Maupin and board members expressed concern about the increase in class sizes this year compared to last. "These figures look like the numbers we had two years ago" said Maupin. More students were expected to enroll in the district after the Labor Day holiday, he said.

He said the largest class in the district is the sixth grade, which has seven sections and 213 students. The class sizes range from 30 to 31 students.

Maupin said the kindergarten class increased from 22.6 students last year to 25 to 26 students this fall. Other class sizes in the elementary schools ranged from 19 to 27 students.

"Maybe it's time to start thinking about another junior high school," said board member Darrell Hanschen, commenting on the junior high enrollment. "We're full up there and at West Lane," said Maupin.

School Board President Jack Knowlan Jr. said the board is concerned about the rising student-teacher ratio in the classrooms, but it can do nothing this year because there is not money to hire additional teachers.

"We don't like the class sizes, but we have no resources to hire more teachers," Knowlan said.

The superintendent told the board that $190 of the $385 million generated by Proposition B would fund elementary school programs and reforms. "It's worthy of our support," said Maupin. "We have no other choice than to support it. It's a step in the right direction. It is rather crucial that this proposition pass."

Reporting on the first day of school, Maupin said, "We're off to a good start. I checked all of the buildings the first day. It appeared as if school had been in session for two weeks, thanks to the efforts of the certified and non-certified staff."