SCHOOL BOARD SEEKS STATE GRANT FUNDING

JACKSON -- The reorganized Jackson Board of Education set the wheels in motion for an abundance of grant funding during their meeting Tuesday night.

The board, which included re-elected member Jack Knowlan Jr. and newly elected member Tom Ludwig, approved submission of five grant funding applications to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The grants were written by faculty members at Gordonville Elementary School, Millersville Attendance Center.

"All of these grants will increase our technology and improve our resources at these centers," said assistant superintendent Fred Jones. "Two of the proposals are match-free grants worth approximately $25,000 and two are 20 percent match grants."

Gordonville Elementary could receive approximately $20,000 worth of computers and books, and Millersville could receive $5,000 worth of math literature as well as computers and library books for classrooms.

Jackson High School could also receive a 20 percent match grant worth approximately $54,621 to upgrade the business education department. IBM-compatible computers, printers and other equipment would be purchased with the funding.

"For the most part, these were technology upgrades we were considering within the district anyway," said superintendent Dr. Howard Jones. "This is a golden opportunity to move forward at half the cost to the district."

Administrators also submitted an application for a summer school program at the elementary and high school levels for this summer. The theme for the elementary program will be "Space: Inner and Outer," and will focus on educational experiences dealing with the topic.

The high school program has three focuses this year. Administrators hope to offer new classes not normally offered, provide additional credit opportunities, and provide remediation for students needing credit in core curriculum areas.

"The programs last year were a tremendous success last year, and we are hoping for an even better rate this year," said Howard Jones. "The state reimburses the district at twice the ADA (average daily attendance rate), so the program pays for itself and is of no cost to the district."

Approximately 600 students have expressed an interest in the summer school programs this year. The elementary program will last for 20 days; the high school program will last 16 days.

The board also approved waiving the tuition for a foreign exchange student to attend school within the district for the 1997-98 school year. The student, who will be sponsored by the Jackson Rotary Club, will come to the district from Germany.

The board also certified election results, gave the oath of office to new members and elected new officers. The newly elected officers are: Vicky McDowell, president; Knowlan, vice-president; Jeanette Bollinger, secretary; and T. Wayne Lewis, treasurer.