Jackson district is looking to the future

The Jackson School District is in an enviable position.

Its enrollment has grown about 3 percent a year for the past 10 years, prompting the construction of new schools and classroom additions throughout the district.

Jackson High School has seen part of that expansion and improvement with the addition of a math and science building in 1998. Still, much of it remains the same. Spread over seven buildings on acres of lush green campus, its buildings represent tradition as much as education.

Superintendent Ron Anderson says he's expecting only 1 percent growth in enrollment districtwide this year, although there's really no way to tell until after the first week of school. Some parents wait that long to get their children enrolled.

Even at 1 percent growth, that means more high school students taking up more desks and more hallway space. Eventually, something is going to have to happen to accommodate those students.

To that end, the district is paying $50,000 to a Lincoln, Neb., consultant.

For most of the years that Jackson has been growing -- in large part because of the school district's exemplary reputation and facilities -- voters have given their support to the needs of an expanding district. But in recent years, taxpayers have been more reluctant to approve spending plans. It took several attempts to obtain approval for the district's most recent proposal.

In spite of this, the district has to plan for the future and look for ways to continue to provide the best facilities and teachers possible.

The consulting firm looking into Jackson's future is taking its time.

The consultant has vowed to present details and cost estimates for several options for the entire school system but pay particular attention to the needs of Jackson High School.

The high school is of special concern because the buildings don't match the programming offered to high school students.

Jackson High School has an excellent reputation throughout the state for its band, athletic teams and other outstanding extracurricular groups. Most students there make the school the center of their lives and want to spend a lot of time in after-school activities.

Options include building a new school elsewhere, demolishing a building and building a bigger one in the same place or constructing a new building in an area that currently is used for parking.

The report is due out in a couple of months. Patrons of the Jackson School District should be on the lookout for it and get involved in the decision-making process.

That way, taxpayers can have a say in the future of the district at the same time they are keeping Jackson High School's reputation a proud one.