JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BUS PURCHASE

JACKSON -- Two used buses will help alleviate some problems with Jackson's routes, but are only a quick fix to a bigger problem, superintendent Howard Jones said.

On the first day of school, most buses carried a half load in the morning. But in the afternoon, students piled on and some buses had 10 or more students over capacity before substitute buses and their drivers were called out.

These substitutes have been at work ever since, but on Tuesday the Jackson Board of Education approved the purchase of two used buses.

Transportation director Jean Kurre noted it was unfortunate that she traded in used buses on new ones at the start of the year. But Kurre said it was impossible to predict the number of students who would rely on school transportation.

School officials looked into leasing two buses from Ryder Student Transportation, which serves Cape Girardeau, but the total cost would be $135 a day. It would be less expensive to buy two 1991 diesel buses and hire drivers, they decided.

Jones said the transportation overload won't be solved with this purchase -- every route must be researched. Students are spending too much time on buses because the system is being run like a taxi service, not a mass transit service, he said.

In public transportation, there are set stops where people get on and off the vehicle. With taxi cabs, people pay to have them come right to their doors.

"We're having the tendency to go up and down in loops, which costs us miles and a significant amount of time," Jones said. "At some point, it may be that a child has to walk a block to the bus stop."

He said it wouldn't be wise to change anything now, but that he and Kurre would look at the routes to see how time and money might be saved.

They plan to hold a public forum where parents discuss their concerns and make suggestions.

The school board also considered enrollment figures compiled the week of Labor Day. Total enrollment was 4,014.

The total came in 86 students less than the school staff's estimate for the high school, but growth occurred in the elementary and middle school levels. These children will be in the system longer, Jones noted.

JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN

Tuesday, Sept. 12

7:30 p.m.

Action Items

* Approved change in the District Student Testing Plan, adding a thinking ability test for first grade students.

* Purchased two additional buses and authorized superintendent to secure needed drivers.

Information Item

* Middle-school parking lot update. Additional parking will be added before winter.