JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD GETS NEW BUDGET

JACKSON -- Growing pains are getting worse in Jackson schools, but the budget doesn't show any serious signs of strain. The preliminary 1996-97 budget shows expenditures of only 4 percent over last year's expenditures.

Even with record-setting kindergarten enrollments and sprouting classes, the district's $17 million fiscal '97 budget shows no signs of stress.

The Jackson district is in good financial condition, said Superintendent Dr. Howard Jones.

The district's preliminary budget was approved by the Board of Education Tuesday night. It shows a $386,079 deficit, but Jones doesn't foresee any problems.

"We've showed deficits early but typically end up in the pluses," he said, adding that $300,000 was devoted to site acquisition for a new school and is a one-time cost for the district.

The 1995-96 budget also showed an early deficit, but the year ended with a large carryover balance, and 1996 property valuations are expected to be greater than 4 percent, Jones said.

If the district was using its savings account for daily operations there would be a problem, but the district has a 21.5 percent carryover, so all needs will be addressed, Jones said.

Finding ways to reduce overcrowding has been a district need for several years, and now it could mean adding mobile classrooms.

If trends continue, the district will need mobile classrooms to alleviate two overcrowded learning disability classrooms at West Lane Elementary, said Assistant Superintendent Fred Jones, adding that the rooms are short-term solutions to growth problems.

No action was taken. Board president Marvin Adams said the addition of the classrooms should be treated as an informational item until more details are available. "Naturally, the quick remedy is the one you lean to," he said.

A proposed $7.8 million bond issue for a new elementary school and building additions will reach voters Aug. 6.

The district's bonding company, L.J. Hart & Co. of St. Louis, has gathered information about the bond issue that can be put into a brochure, Jones said, adding that a committee will be formed to distribute the information to the community. Public meetings also are planned for late July.

In other action, the board voted to begin a renovation and construction project at the concession stand. Donations from the community will fund the project.