FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- More than 100 community members attended a town hall meeting Tuesday at the Solomon Center, during which garrison officials gave updates on ongoing projects and answered audience questions.
The meeting focused in large parts on the new school year, the upcoming flu season and the on-post housing situation.
Samantha Ingram, the new superintendent for the Fort Jackson / South Carolina /
DoDDS-Cuba school district, assured parents that Fort Jackson schools are committed to success.
"Our total focus will be on student achievement," Ingram said.
Rose Edmond, chief of Child, Youth and School Services, said that applications are still being accepted for transportation services to off-post schools. Two schools have been added to the program, Bridgecreek Elementary School and Kelly Mills Middle School.
Edmond also explained ongoing and upcoming after-school programs, as well as the extended hours care options available on post.
The meeting also included briefings on school and school bus safety. A new program will start at on-post schools this fall, teaching children how to recognize unexploded ordnance and what to do after identifying it, said Ron Ross, post safety center .
Col. Nancy Hughes, commander of Moncrief Army Community Hospital, encouraged community members to get a seasonal flu shot.
In addition, H1N1 vaccinations are expected to be offered later this year, she said. Hughes explained that the H1N1 vaccination will require two shots.
The first can be administered 21 days after the seasonal flu shot, and the second 21 days after the first H1N1 shot, she said.
Representatives from Balfour Beatty Communities and the Residential Communities Initiative updated attendees on the status of housing construction on post.
James Harper, Balfour Beatty project director, encouraged residents to inform Balfour Beatty about problems in the construction areas. Harper also said that Phase I demolition is complete and construction is well under way.
"We have construction activity going on in every area and rank structure," he said.
Karen Padgett, Balfour Beatty community manager, encouraged residents to participate in the regularly-scheduled neighborhood huddles.
"This is a forum for you to bring issues to us, give us an opportunity to fix them and then move forward," Padgett said.
Before allowing questions, garrison officials addressed issues that were raised at the last town hall meeting in May:
-- The Exceptional Family Member Program will begin an aquatics program next month.
-- Free admission is now available at Legion Pool for those with Palmetto Falls Water Park season passes.
-- The sound levels of public announcement speakers near the housing areas have been adjusted.
-- Officials are still looking into a location for a skeet range.
One of the questions raised by a community member concerned lack of EFMP staff.
Carla Atkinson, Army Community Service director, said that one position is being recruited and that another position may be recruited next fiscal year if the funding is approved. Brig. Gen. Bradley May, Fort Jackson commanding general, said he would take it upon himself to raise the lack of funding to the next level.
"I know that (the issue) is worth my personal investment and time to see what we can do," May said.
Other concerns raised included construction details; speeding in the housing area; Family Day and graduation traffic; and parking at Pierce Terrace Elementary School.
The next town hall meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m. at the Solomon Center.
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