JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Education established a tax rate for the 1997-98 school year and approved aides for elementary teachers during its regular meeting Tuesday.

No one attended the special hearing before the school board to set a school tax levy for the year. The board unanimously approved assistant superintendent Dr. Terry Gibbons' recommendation of a total levy of $3.21 per $100 assessed valuation. This figure includes the state minimum adjusted levy of $2.75 plus the district's debt service of 46 cents.

Board members also authorized administrators to hire noncertified aides to help elementary teachers by a 7-1 vote. Marvin Adams was the dissenting vote.

Assistant superintendent Fred Jones recommended the district hire 14 aides to work an average of 11.5 hours each week in the district's elementary buildings. The aides will be used to supervise students during noninstructional times, including lunch and recess periods.

The elementary teachers have very little in-school time to prepare for classes because they serve as supervisors for students when they're not teaching them, Jones said. Teachers in Gordonville, Millersville and the Primary Annex serve especially long hours before and after school because the students are at the outlying schools of the district longer, he said.

Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones said the aides were needed because elementary teachers needed preparatory time comparable to that of secondary teachers.

"There has been some hesitance in some districts about having noncertificated staff helping out during non-instructional times," he said. "These teachers have those youngsters from the time the door opens almost to the time that they leave without a break. We feel like this is a good faith effort on our part to provide additional planning time to those who are in need for some relief."

In his regular report Gibbons also told board members that the district's insurance provider had advised him that due to heavy losses rates would be sharply increased for the next contract year beginning Oct. 1.

Gibbons said he had estimated increases of 10 percent in the annual budget based on the company's recommendation. However, he was informed on Tuesday that actual increases would be 56 percent for medical costs and 81 percent for dental costs.

Board members were disgusted by the short notice provided by the provider and asked if a contract extension was possible at the current rate. An emergency meeting will be held at Jackson Middle School at 7 a.m. Friday to decide whether to stay in the current contract or make a temporary change in coverage that will prevent district employees from being without insurance.

JACKSON BOARD OF EDUCATION

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997

7:30 p.m. Jackson Middle School Library

Action Items:

-- Conducted tax rate hearing and established tax rate for 1997-98.

-- Approved schedule for curriculum alignment with state curriculum frameworks.

-- Authorized administrators to interview for noon aides.

Executive Session -- Employment, personnel evaluation and real estate. Authority is Section 610.021, Para. 2, 3 and 13, Revised Statues of Missouri, as amended.