Snow days push Jackson schools' final day to May 30

Editor's note: The story has been edited to correct the vote total for the endorsement of board president Terri Tomlin for regional executive committee chairwoman of the Missouri School Boards' Association for Region 13.

Snow and ice has extended the Jackson R-2 School District's year to May 30, superintendent Ron Anderson told board members at Tuesday's meeting.

He said the district has lost 14 days because of bad weather this year, "which is the most I've seen in my career."

According to the calendar approved by the board in December 2012 for the 2013-14 school year, classes were tentatively scheduled to conclude May 21.

Also because of weather, 53 days of construction have been lost on the district's new 105,000-square-foot elementary school at 455 N. Lacey St. in Jackson, Anderson said.

The project architect is Warner Nease Bost Architects Inc. of Kansas City, Mo., and the contractor is Brockmiller Construction of Farmington, Mo.

The new school is being financed with a bond of about $16 million that was approved by voters in April 2012.

The board also voted 4-2 -- with members Paul Stoner and Alaina Hinze dissenting -- to endorse board president Terri Tomlin for regional executive committee chairwoman of the Missouri School Boards' Association for Region 13, which includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Madison, Iron, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties.

Board member Bruce Thomas was absent Tuesday.

Tomlin said board has been reorganized to have a board member and a regional executive director for each region, making it smaller than it was before.

Tomlin said she has been on the panel about three years and that Martha Resinger of Ste. Genevieve would be endorsed as a board member.

Hinze declined to comment on her decision.

Stoner said his decision wasn't personal.

"I just don't necessarily feel like she's the best representative for the district and for the area that the committee represents, so I don't feel like after this year I can endorse her," Stoner said.

In other business, the board approved applying for $330,517 worth of state Vocational-Technical Education Enhancement grants.

Wade Bartels, associate superintendent finance /business, said the district would be reimbursed $223,773. He said the funds, which the district previously has been awarded, will go toward equipment, furniture and software upgrades.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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