LETTERS: STUDENTS DEPEND ON VOTER DECISIONS

To the editor:

I am writing in response to the recent disapproval of two monetary issues placed in the hands of Jackson voters. The city of Jackson is no doubt one of the fastest growing communities in Southeast Missouri, and naturally one may deduct from that statement that there are many children who need schooling. Also, we all are aware that Jackson, as of today at least, provides one of the finest educations of any public school in the state. This is due largely in part to the excellent employees, schools and community support. On the latter Jackson has always relied and upon which Jackson has prided itself.

In the future, however, our community may no longer have bragging rights to all these things. R.O Hawkins Junior High School is as crowded as it was in the 1995-96 school year when it housed three grades rather than the current two. How can anybody expect students to learn to their maximum capability when classrooms designed to hold between 25 and 28 pupils are holding 32 and increasing in size by at least two every year? That means that in five years there will be about 42 kids in each classroom. That's kind of like getting 20 people in your office cubical and trying to plot out your company's future. You can almost feel the shoulders of your co-workers digging into your back and feel the desperation as you drop all your papers to the floor to be trampled upon because you turned into someone.

At Jackson, we call that phenomenon "a walk down the hall." Not only does this place students in a poor position to develop their minds, but it also places them in danger of physical injury. Though Jackson has not experienced any major violent outburst, placing large numbers of humans together sharply increases chances of negative behavior. It's just basic psychology.

Further, when classroom sizes reach 30-plus, reaction time to a violent or natural disaster are greatly increased, raising the number of students injured -- or worse. Surely Jackson doesn't wish to see any students harmed in our schools.

I'm not saying that passing the bond and levy issues could prevent violence, but they could certainly help alleviate potential hazards.

Our schools and our community must remain united in order to continue Jackson's tradition of quality education and safety. I hope Jackson voters will pass these two issues when they reappear. Your children and younger citizens of your community depend upon your decisions. Thank you for your time and careful consideration on these matters.

GABE GROSS

Student

R.O. Hawkins Junior High School

Jackson