LETTERS: GOOD REASON TO SUPPORT JACKSON ISSUE

To the editor:

Jackson School District has just received its comparative test scores indicating how students are doing. Jackson outperformed the state and nation. Our teachers and support staff are providing a quality education while the district is one of the lowest cost-per-pupil providers of education in the state.

Estimated student population using historical growth rates would be 5,949 students in 2010. Of this projected growth, 691 additional students would be in grades K-5, 228 in middle school, 197 in the junior high school and 351 in the high school. Will we continue to grow at the rate we have for the past 10 years? No one knows for sure. I do know we will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. Our region has interstate highways, the river, rail, air, medical facilities, good K-12 school systems, a vocational school and a university as well as a strong economic and population base. These are an attraction to industry and future residents.

The R.O. Hawkins Junior High School bond issue for $6 million has been placed on the ballot. There are a number of reasons for the additional 18 classrooms, expanded kitchen, expanded library and gym:

1. Classes currently are held in the based and in storage closets. These areas are not handicap accessible and have poor ventilation. This will use four of the 18 additional rooms.

2. The kitchen needs to be expanded to properly service the students. This will eliminate one classroom.

3. Mobile teachers need a permanent classroom. This will utilize four additional classrooms.

4. The addition would allow for more pre-college and technical programming, which would help students to better plan their course outline through high school.

5. A safer environment would be provided, and hallway crowding would be reduced.

6. The expansion would provide for additional growth over the next five to 10 years. The finished addition would take 18 to 24 months to complete.

7. The bond issue would provide additional technology improvements needed to keep pace with the growing demand for these skills in the work place.

8. Existing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems would be renovated.

9. The library needs to be expanded, which would eliminate two existing classrooms.

Owners of a $70,000 home would pay an additional $1.16 a month. Owners of a $200,000 home would pay $3.33 more a month. I do not like to pay additional taxes any more than anyone else. The need is real, and I support the proposal. A growing student population will continue to be a challenging issue as we progress into the future.

BRENT WILLS

Jackson, Mo.