SPECIAL-EDUCATION BUILDINGS DOMINATE SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

JACKSON -- Special needs programming and capital improvements dominated the agenda items addressed during the Jackson Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening.

The board also learned of overcrowding in several schools that could require the hiring of additional faculty members for the coming year.

Board members voted to continue several remedial and early-education programs designated for preschool- and elementary school-aged children with special needs within the district. Funding for the four programs discussed will come from local, state and federal sources.

Assistant Superintendent Fred Jones said the number of students using these programs has increased over the years, especially in early childhood special education programs. He said the number of faculty members serving this population of students has increased from three teachers for grades one through five to eight teachers serving first through third grades.

The board also approved several equipment and capital projects bids for North Elementary, Orchard Elementary and R.O. Hawkins Junior High School. North and Orchard will receive upgraded and/or new cafeteria equipment, and the playground at North will also be resurfaced. Lowered ceilings and new lighting will be added at the junior high school.

In his report to the board, Jones said the new school districting lines have caused significant overcrowding concerns at several schools. The district has maximum populations in Orchard's third grade and West Lanes fifth grade, and the sixth grade population at Jackson Middle School could become an area of concern later.

Jones said the district will need to address the overcrowding either by shifting students or teachers or by hiring new faculty. "The shuffling has produced some problems, and we have no solutions right now for the situation," Jones told the board. "Twenty-seven should be considered the maximum for any classroom. We have 28 in three classes already."

Jones will present possible resolutions to the overcrowding at the next school board meeting.

JACKSON BOARD OF EDUCATION

Tuesday, June 10, 1997

7:30 p.m., Jackson Middle School Library

ACTION ITEMS:

-- Approved Federal Title I (Remedial Reading) Program for 1997-98.

-- Approved Federal PL 94-142 IDEA (Special Education) Program for 1997-98.

-- Approved Federal and State Early Childhood Special Education Program for 1997-98.

-- Approved State Early Childhood Special Education Program for 1997-98.

-- Approved food service equipment bids at North Elementary and West Lane Elementary.

-- Approved capital projects bids:

1. Exterior wall treatment for junior high gym.

2. Lighting for junior high walls.

3. Paving of Orchard Elementary playground.

-- Approved change orders for North Elementary construction.

-- Approved 1996-97 budget amendments and transfers.