East Elementary completes successful first year

The first year of East Elementary School in Jackson is now history.

Voters in 2012 approved a $16 million bond issue, and it took a lot of work to get the school ready. Not just the design and construction of the school, but drawing new district lines, shifting and hiring staff, equipping the building and prepping it for all the children.

It seems like the school completed the first year with flying (or at least primary) colors.

Principal Jessica Maxwell, former principal at South Elementary, should be commended for taking on the leadership and responsibilities to get a new school off the ground. And it sounds like the teachers there were all on the same page and worked hard and well to make the first year at East a success. There were 400 elementary students who attended classes there, and another 300 who attended the district's early childhood program, housed at East, because the district had run out of room at South Elementary.

The first year ended with 86 percent of students reading at grade level. Disciplinary referrals were at 104 for the year, less than one per day.

Indeed, it looks as if East Elementary is off to a good start. Congratulations to all the teachers, staff, parents and students for a good first year.