JACKSON -- There have been a few changes in the Jackson Public Schools superintendent's office, lately.

The most obvious is behind the desk -- Wayne Maupin retired, Dr. Howard Jones took the job.

But the more subtle changes take awhile to notice: acrylic abstract paintings on the walls, completed by Jones himself, an antique here and there, statuettes of ducks and bird dogs.

The mixed bag of decorations reflects the office's new occupant, a diverse and open-minded Jones. He moved to Jackson and his new position a month ago, eager to meet the challenges facing him.

"I used to laugh and say I was a jack-of-all-trades and master of none," Jones said, motioning around his office. "It works as superintendent, because you deal with such a diverse array of issues. If you are single-minded, it doesn't work."

Jones likens school superintendents to chief executive officers of large corporations. They oversee hundreds of employees, million-dollar budgets and several properties and the facilities on them.

At the same time, they must appreciate what a school is all about -- teaching children. If a child isn't learning and doesn't have a positive feeling about himself, keeping the district in the black doesn't mean much.

To keep in touch with the students, Jones said he will substitute for elementary and secondary teachers sometime this year. He prefers art, avoids higher levels of science and math.

Although he doesn't care for those two subjects, Jones realizes Jackson's students need them badly. He said the system's math and science teachers are excellent, but their equipment needs updating.

It will be tough to find the money Jackson needs to expand the school district and equip it properly. A University of Missouri study predicted the district would enroll 4,000 students by the year 2,000. Those 4,000 students may be enrolled this fall.

A new middle school, finished this year, will alleviate some of the overcrowding problem, but the problem still exists.

In addition, Jones wants more computers, more teachers and an address on the InterNet.

"It's the expectation that kids who graduate from Jackson will become successful," he said. "I don't want to lose that just because of the influx of a lot of people. We must make traditional Jacksonians realize that things must change to take our kids into the 21st century."

The good news is, as people greet Jones on the street, they don't ask if he will ask for a bond issue to be passed. They ask when they can pass one.

Jones has been meeting with the school board about Jackson's dilemmas, jumping in feet-first. They already have formed a facilities review committee to look at what the district needs in new schools.

Jones, 51, is a native of Nevada, Mo., where his father served as superintendent for some time. Jones moved to Jackson from Stillwater, Okla., with his wife, Dona, and 16-year-old son. The couple have two grown children elsewhere.

Important Dates for Area Schools

These are the starting and registration dates for schools in the Southeast Missourian's coverage area. Not all information was available at all schools. For complete information about back-to-school and registration dates and times, call the board of education office in your district or wait for a notice in the mail.

ADVANCE

Aug. 28

ALTENBURG

Aug. 21

CAPE CHRISTIAN

Aug. 23

The school is still accepting enrollment.

CAPE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Aug. 28

Primary students not already enrolled should come in after Aug. 8. Secondary students should enroll Aug. 14. Student orientation is Aug. 17.

CHAFFEE

Aug. 23

Registration is Aug. 15-17.

DELTA

Aug. 23

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Aug. 21

Registration begins Aug. 7

JACKSON

Aug. 23

High school registration is Aug. 9-11, junior high Aug. 14, middle school Aug. 15, and elementary Aug. 16.

KELLY

Aug. 18

Registration for new students is Aug. 3-4, junior high Aug. 7, and high school Aug. 8-10.

KELSO C-7

Aug. 23

MARQUAND-ZION

Aug. 23

NELL HOLCOMB

Aug. 23

New students can enroll anytime.

NOTRE DAME

Aug. 22

Freshman orientation and the book sale is Aug. 21.

OAK RIDGE

Aug. 18

Seventh-grade orientation is Aug. 11.

ORAN

Aug. 23

PERRYVILLE

Aug. 21

Registration is Aug. 9-10.

ST. AMBROSE

Aug. 21

Registration is Aug. 5-6.

ST. AUGUSTINE

Aug. 22

Registration is Aug. 13.

ST. JOSEPH

Aug. 23

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL

Aug. 23

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN

Aug. 21

ST. VINCENT

Aug. 21

ST. VINCENT de PAUL

Aug. 23

SCOTT CITY

Aug. 23

Elementary students can enroll after Aug. 1.

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL

Aug. 23

Students can register the week of Aug. 7.

SIKESTON

Aug. 23

ILLINOIS

ANNA-JONESBORO

Aug. 25

Students may register Aug. 14-17

CAIRO

Aug. 22

EGYPTIAN

Aug. 18

MERIDIAN

Aug. 22

High school registration is Aug. 9-11.

SHAWNEE

Aug. 25