La Crosse School Board candidate Jeff Jackson on public relations, future budget, student preparedness

La Crosse School Board candidate Jeff Jackson in studio the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk last week discussing what he feels is needed in the district, that includes public relations, student learning gaps and the future budget situation.

La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-8 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk wherever you get your podcasts.

Jackson served on the school board for a year, filling the term of a member who resigned, but a job change prevented him from running again. Now he’s back, as one of six candidates vying for three seats on the board.

The big things Jackson sees with the district is a need to better promote all the good things it’s been doing. We talk about some of the negativity that seems to hover around the district, but he doesn’t feel that’s all warranted.

Jackson also talks about how the district is in OK shape right now financially, but needs to work and look ahead 2-3 years, as it will be in a budget crisis again if things aren’t addressed. Part of that conversation also included the school building plans and the process we went through to get to this current $53.5 million referendum to build a new elementary school and update another.

We also discussed the school report cards and the student learning gap and how he feels pretty good about La Crosse schools but there is a need with younger students to get them better acclimated to being ready to learn.