SCHOOL OPENS SMOOTHLY

Another school year has opened at Jackson and Oak Ridge schools. Both districts reported a smooth first week back in school.

"It's been great," said Rick McClard, Jackson High School principal. "The kids are great. It's been pretty smooth. We've had very few hitches or problems. Naturally we've had some students who have had to change schedules and those kinds of things. You always have that."

That smoothness is despite another jump in enrollment.

"We've got a lot of students," McClard said, "about 1,080, which is an increase of about 70 or 80. A lot of that is due to increased enrollment in the sophomore class. It's large and so is the junior class. We have a lot of new students moving in, too."

Things were crowded but quiet at R.O. Hawkins Junior High, also, where 785 students are sandwiched in a building designed for 600.

"The kids have been great," said Principal Dennis Parham. "They've been responding well. Behavior has been great. Teachers said the kids have been doing very well. They were very complimentary of them."

Parham said the building's nine new teachers are also fitting in "very well."

Cheri Fuemmeler, Oak Ridge superintendent, echoed the sentiments

"So far it has gone very smoothly," she said Thursday morning. "We're up a few students not a lot, but a few. We won't have a final count after Labor Day. We'll have a little better handle on our true numbers by then."

Fuemmeler said the mood is upbeat at Oak Ridge

"The students and teachers all seem to be excited about being here," she said.

Dr. Gerald Landewee continues as elementary principal, while Paul Lynch takes over as high school principal. New faculty/staff members are Kimberly Aden, fifth grade; Colleen Buckles, science; Christina Green, part-time secretary and math teacher; Stephanie LeDure, first grade; Martha Mangels, business technology; Bryan McAlister, substitute, third grade; tonya Rowland-Landewee, English; Donna Strup, art; Jerry Witvoet, part-time counselor; Jason Niswonger, social studies; Kami Green, head softball, assistant volleyball coach; Kristin Turner, second, third grade, machael Qualls, PE and assistant coach; Alan Botsch, bus driver; and Gretchen Weber, preschool assistant.

The district has also received several grants this year. An A+ Grant will bring $212,560 (with a $65,680 district match) this year and $214,535 each of the next two years. A Tech-Literary Challenge Grant will bring $205,278 (with an $18,662 match). Grants for the school year total $630,011.

Administrators agreed that things could hardly have gotten off to a better beginning.

"All-in-all, we've had a very good start of school," McClard said Thursday. "I hope it stays that way the rest of the year."