Jefferson City Public Schools begins its first day of school

Superintendent Larry Linthacum said the district hopes to improve student reading levels.

“We want our number one goal is to ensure one-hundred percent of our students are at or above grade reading level,” Linthacum said.

Safety and a positive learning environment are priorities for Jefferson City Public Schools.

“If students don’t feel safe at school, you could have the greatest lesson in the world and students will not be that engaged,” he said.

The district asks parents to speak up if something seems out of the ordinary. School resource officers are stationed at each secondary school building.

Linthacum said he expects a small growth in enrollment this year. Jefferson City Public Schools will have exact enrollment numbers on Sept. 19.

Linthacum visited all 18 schools in the district today to kick-off the first day of school.