TAXES, TICKET PRICES UP IN JACKSON DISTRICT

JACKSON -- Jackson students will pay more for school lunches and football tickets while their parents pay more property taxes.

The Jackson Board of Education met Tuesday to discuss the recent passage of a building bond issue and consider raising some school prices.

Voters passed the $7.8 million bond issue last week to fund an addition to North Elementary School, a new high school math and science building and a new South Elementary School. The vote raised their debt service tax 20 cents per $100 assessed valuation, taking the total tax levy to $3.21.

L.J. Hart & Co., a St. Louis financial consulting firm, and local brokers will begin selling the bonds Aug. 27. Superintendent Howard Jones said brokers aren't expecting to have any problems selling to local investors.

Architect John Dudley met with the board to explain a timetable on completing the building work. He estimated the North Elementary School addition would be done in July 1997, the math and science building in June 1998 and the South school in January 1999.

The last estimate wasn't well received by board members and Jones, who said moving elementary students in the middle of the school year would be virtually impossible.

"Even if we had to delay the start of school a month or conduct school in some type of emergency setting, it would be better," Jones said.

Dudley said there are mechanisms to help ensure construction companies complete their work on time. The cost of the work may be increased, however, and weather or other factors still may prevent timely completion.

As planning continues, the board will address the issue, Jones said.

The board voted to slightly increase the cost of school lunches. It raised the price of an elementary or secondary student meal from $1.20 to $1.25 and an adult meal from $1.25 to $1.50.

Assistant Superintendent Terry Gibbons said the price increase was necessary after the district finished $15,000 in the hole on last year's lunch program. In districts where many students qualify for subsidized lunches, prices can be kept lower because of government funding.

The district receives $1.80 for each subsidized lunch sold compared to the $1.25 charge for a paid lunch.

Football ticket prices were increased Tuesday for the first time in 10 years. Adult tickets will go from $2.50 to $3 and student tickets from $1.50 to $2. The advance season ticket price will go from $10 to $15, but senior citizens still will receive free passes and activity ticket prices for students will remain the same.

In other action, the board voted to adopt a written list of goals for the 1996-97 school year. The list includes items in the areas of student achievement, professional development and school environment.

Board members also learned that 20 new teachers, principals and librarians have been hired for the new school year. Some of them will replace staff who retired or resigned, but most will fill new positions, Assistant Superintendent Fred Jones said.