TWO JACKSON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO RESIGN

JACKSON -- Two administrators in the Jackson School District submitted their resignations to the Board of Education this week.

The board accepted resignations of assistant superintendent Terry Gibbons and associate superintendent Fred Jones during a closed meeting Tuesday night. Their resignations are effective June 30.

Jones, a Jackson High School graduate who has worked his entire career in Jackson schools, is retiring. Gibbons has been named superintendent of North St. Francis County School District in Bonne Terre.

Jones said he likely will look for other job opportunities because "55 years is a little young for retirement."

"After 34 years, I'm going to go down a different path," he said. "I'll be looking at some other opportunities, but I won't be looking too hard."

Jones began his career as a first-year art teacher at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School in 1966. He remained at the school 19 years before being named athletic director and assistant principal at Jackson High School in 1985. In 1990, he was appointed assistant superintendent.

"Things are going real good, and I'm just looking for a different direction," said Jones. "I think there are other people who can handle what I do fine."

Jones' wife, Pamela, is retired. The two have one son, two daughters and four grandchildren.

Jones said he is proud his daughters chose to work in Jackson schools, and he is looking forward to traveling to see his son's family in Utah.

"We're very grateful for having spent our entire career in Jackson School District," he said. "I leave with a real sense of satisfaction of where the district is going in the future. It looks good for the students of our school district."

After four years as Jackson assistant superintendent, Gibbons said he is looking forward to returning to North St. Francis County, a district of 3,000 students where he formerly worked as principal.

"The majority of my career has been in the Mineral Area around Iron and St. Francois counties," he said. "I am looking forward to getting back to that region."

He said he is amazed at the growth Jackson has experienced as a town and as a school district during his tenure, but he believes everyone is coping.

"I think growth is good, and Jackson has managed it very very well," Gibbons said. "New people, new students -- I guess that's the biggest change I've seen."

Gibbons, a Dexter native, began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Arcadia Valley School District in Iron County. He left the classroom to serve as principal in East Prairie School District in Mississippi County for three years.

He later was named principal in North St. Francois County, were he remained eight years. Prior to coming to Jackson, Gibbons was superintendent of Sunrise School District in Jefferson County for five years.

Despite the change in administration, Gibbons and Jones said they don't anticipate any challenges for the school district next year.