Rusk ISD employs architect
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

The Rusk ISD Board of Trustees approved the employment of the Lufkin architectural firm of Goodwin-Lasiter Inc. Monday night. The firm will draw up plans for a new high school gymnasium.

Goodwin-Lasiter Inc. and JML Architects of Jacksonville presented proposals at the meeting. Both firms gave PowerPoint presentations of their firms and accomplishments.

Representing Goodwin-Lasiter Inc. were Larry Lasiter and Malcom McKinley. Representing JML Architects were Mike Leinbach of the Jacksonville firm and Bob Brown of a Tyler architectual firm.

Goodwin-Lasiter Inc. has built several gyms during the past few years. The last gym Mr. Leinbach built was constructed four years ago and Mr. Brown's last one was in 2002.

Coaches, administrators and board members will begin visiting area gyms this week to determine what will be included in the new facility. The current high school gym was constructed when the school was built almost 40 years ago.

Plans are not to have pullout bleachers but individual seating. Dressing rooms will be built below the spectator seating area.

The gym will be constructed similar to a new gym at Madisonville. The district has between $2.5 and $3.5 million to be used for the facility. Seating is expected to be between 1,200-1,300. The current gym seats 600 persons.

A construction manager at risk will be employed at the next school board meeting.

Meeting date changed

The July 9 board meeting date was changed to Monday, July 16.