RISD plans new high school gym
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

The Rusk ISD board of trustees made plans Monday night to hire an architect for the construction of a new high school gymnasium. Names of architects will be presented to the board at the June 11 meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Largent suggested that a group of principals, coaches and others visit gyms to recommend what is needed for Rusk. A contractor or construction manager will be named at the July board meeting.

No bonds will be required as the project will be paid from the building fund.

The board approved the purchase of outfield fencing for the baseball and softball fields. Dr. Largent said $14,000 has been budgeted for this project. Another $29,650 is budgeted to pay for covering over the batting cages at both fields. This project will be provided by Sunday Metal Buildings. Both projects will be financed through the building fund.

Restrooms on the home side of the football stadium will be enlarged. Cost of this project is $18,000. Payment will come from the building fund.

During the board re-organization time, David Fulton was elected president; Dr. Anthony Holcomb, vice-president; and Frances Long, secretary.

Mr. Fulton, who previously served as vice-president, praised outgoing president Mike Ross for his six years as board president.

Gary Robbins, music supervisor, presented a report of activities of the choir and band. Music staff for Rusk ISD includes Mr. Robbins, who serves as head band director; Mike Kellogg, high school assistant band director; Mike Miller, head junior high band director; Barbara High, junior high assistant band director; and Monica Hamilton, head choir director.

When Mr. Robbins came to Rusk in 1988 there were 55 students in the high school band program; 45 beginning band students and 40 junior high band students. There are 115 students in the high school band; 55 students in the eighth grade band; 55 in the seventh grade band; and 85 in the beginning band. The choir is composed of 20 students in the high school program; 31 students in the seventh and eighth grade program; and 21 students in the beginning program.

The board authorized Doug Whitt, financial adviser, to issue refunding bonds, Series 2007. A Hall of Honor nomination committee will be composed of Dr. Largent, Ricky Hassell, high school principal and Rodney Hugghins, board member.

Citizens 1st Bank was selected as the district's depository. Austin Bank is the current depository.

SSC Service Solutions was selected as the district's janitorial service vendor. The firm, a nationwide large company, cleans several Texas schools. A supervisor will be located at Rusk and all personnel will be required to attend training sessions. A training center is located at Fairfield. Lesa Jones, business manager, said the bid price is 10 percent higher than the district currently pays.

The current contractor is Seebee Cleaning of Nacogdoches and its bid price was higher than the SSC Service Solutions.

Cafeteria bids were approved from Oak Farms for milk; Blue Bell for ice cream; and Flowers for bread.

Resignations were accepted from Leslie Brummett, Randall Bruton, Patricia Guess, Jeff Humphries, Tifni Nowell, Cody Smith, Karey Smith, Theresa Smith and Lauren Watson. Employed were Daina Alston, Susie Blackmon, Elizabeth Cahalane, Matt Garvin, Ramona Gillen, Billy Harrell, Kennith Jaggars, Krista Mc- New, Debbie O'Maine, Kirk Rebuck, Sheri Whiteside and Craig Wilcox.

Attending the meeting were Mr. Fulton, Dr. Holcomb, Mrs. Long, Roy Cavozoz, Mr. Hugghins, Mr. Ross and Britt Patterson.

The board will meet again at 6 p.m. Monday, June 11.