Rusk ISD extends superintendent's contract
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Rusk ISD board members were honored Jan. 16 at their meeting in the school administration building. Students from the primary school presented a program and gifts from the various campuses were given to each board member.

Plans to meet again at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, were made at the meeting. The board will meet at that time to approve bids and determine the guaranteed construction price for a new high school gym.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Largent said, "We are expecting a lot of bids and we hope to get some good prices."

During the Jan. 16 meeting a report was presented to the board concerning the October exit level TAKS retests. Five persons passed all four portions of the test. Those who have not met all standards include one not passing ELA; five math; and nine science. Students will have an opportunity to repeat the test in the spring. Last year there were 16 percent of Texas seniors who did not receive diplomas. Local students are placed in TAKS labs until they pass the test.

Discipline reports

Discipline reports were presented by Scott Schwartz, assistant principal at the high school; and Kathy Guidry, assistant principal at the junior high school.

Philosophy at the high school centers around three core ideas, Mr. Schwartz said.

The school deals with prevention and safety, choices and consequences and personal responsibility.

"We strive to be proactive in every aspect of handling discipline. It is better to stop

situation before it becomes

problem than to give consequences after the fact. We are visible as a staff before and after school and in the hallways between classes. Our teachers are trained to report problems between students as soon as possible. Students are allowed and encouraged to talk out problems privately. Calls home are placed to head off misbehaviors. Teachers communicate with principals and counselors many times before discipline reports are given. Every effort is made to ensure that students can learn in a safe environment.

Mr. Schwartz said, "Behavior is a choice made by each individual student. We stress this to the students so that they understand that the way they act is something they decide. Consequences are the positive and negative results of their decisions. Rules are standards we all must live by to maintain organization and efficiency. We want all of our students to understand that the consequences they experience (positive and negative) are a direct reflection of the choices and decision that they make in relation to the rules of the school.

"Each student owns his or her choices and actions. Other people do not dictate an individual's behavior. Consequences are a result of that person's behavior. These consequences are viewed as part of the student's learning experience. When a student comes to the realization of these truths, discipline for this student becomes very effective and misbehaviors decrease significantly."

He presented charts of common offenses and disciplinary action taken for these occurrences.

The school deals with approximately 15 percent of the student body on a regular basis. Approximately 35 percent of the students are dealt with on a minimum amount of time and make corrections to their behavior when warranted. Half of the students never have a disciplinary referral.

Mrs. Guidry said, "We know that Rusk ISD is respected by our hometown as well as people from neighboring areas. We have 79 transfer students in the district this year with 35 of those being on the junior high campus. Our scores were recognized in 2005-06 and continue to rise in 06-07 reports. Rusk Junior High is definitely improving academically and behaviorally and being a credit to our district."

Mrs. Guidry's discipline report was basically the same as Mr. Schwartz's. Bus violations is one of the largest student offenses at the junior high school. In the 2007 school year the junior high had 280 violations involving 155 students. Already in the 2008 school year there have been 118 violations involving 88 students. She addressed lunch detention saying this is one of the most frequent uses of discipline. Students sit at a table and work on assignments during the lunch break. Of the 434 students on the campus, 357 students have had no disciplinary referrals this year.

District Plan

In the district plan, all state scores were compared to those of Rusk ISD, Betty Collins, director of instructional programs, said.

Mrs. Collins reported the district met 68 percent of its objectives. The district goal is that by the year 2013-14 all students will reach high standards, a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading, language arts and math. Rusk ISD will make every effort to provide all parents with information concerning their student's participation in a challenging high school curriculum. Rusk ISD will foster a safe and drug free learning environment that supports academic achievement. All members of the Rusk ISD community will be partners in the continuing improvements of the education system. All students will be taught by highly qualified teachers who are assisted by highly qualified paraprofessionals.

Kathleen Glidewell, director of special programs and assessments, presented a summary of the Academic Excellence Indicator System

AEIS) report.

The district continues to have no weapons or felony incidents. It is academically acceptable. The primary campus and the elementary campus were paired together and scores recognized. Also, the intermediate campus was recognized. The junior high and high school were scored academically acceptable. The Hispanic performance in the area of Reading/ELA, writing and math were the main area of concern. The district will increase the use of the Rosetta Stone instructional program, instructional labs and extended day. Also the number of certified ESL teachers was increased as was parental involvement.

Following an executive session, resignation of Michelle Goff, effective Jan. 18, was approved. Joshua Harris was employed effective Jan. 22 for the remainder of the school year.

Contract for Superintendent Dr. Jim Largent was extended another year. His contract is effective through the school year of 2010-11.

Attending the meeting were president David Fulton; vice-president Dr. Anthony Holcomb; secretary Frances Long; and board members Roy Cavazoz, Rodney Hugghins and Britt Patterson. Board member Mike Ross was absent.