As J-M board president, McGee to prioritize financial prudence

By Sean Barron

NORTH JACKSON — The difficult economic climate has contributed to making the Jackson-Milton School District’s budget situation rather murky, but maintaining financial prudence this year is a top priority for the new board president.

Bart McGee, who was appointed to the post at Thursday’s board meeting, said it will likely be next month before school officials have a clearer picture of how their budget will look.

Because of the poor economy, Gov. Ted Strickland may cut funding for Ohio schools. It remains to be seen how such a move would affect Jackson-Milton, McGee said, adding that he intends to avoid deficit spending.

Other main goals for this year, he continued, are to increase the district’s graduation rate and achieve an excellent rating on the state report card.

McGee said he would like to see an increase in the rate, which was around 91.7 percent for the 2006-07 school year. Last year, the district was given an effective rating by the state, having just missed being ranked excellent, he noted. The five rankings are excellent, effective, continuous improvement, academic watch and academic emergency.

Another of McGee’s focuses is to see the new high school/middle school facility open on schedule next September, he said. The 81,000-square-foot building on Mahoning Avenue, next to the elementary school, will be for pupils in grades six through 12.

“The new building will do wonders for us regarding bringing in new kids,” he said.

This is McGee’s second time as board president in his eight years on the board.

Appointed to a one-year term as vice president was Victor Wolfe.