RUSK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Personnel issues, school calendar top board agenda
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Members of the Rusk ISD board approved the employment of Ted Patton as Rusk athletic director. Coach Patton was accompanied to the board meeting by his wife, Jill, and sons, Jack, 9, and Mark, 6.

The coach's employment came after an executive session and on an administrative recommendation.

Coach Patton's base salary was set at $72,000. He will be eligible for other incentives given administrative personnel.

Coach Patton will begin at Rusk ISD on March 25. He was given two contracts, one for the remainder of the school year ending on June 30 and another for the period from July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009. By law, the district is required to issue a probationary contract for the first year.

Dr. Jim Largent, superintendent, said the district had received 115 applications. He expressed his appreciation to all who served on the selection committee.

"We went through the process and all agreed on the top four finalists and all agreed on Coach Patton as the number one applicant. We want to welcome them to our Rusk family," Dr. Largent said.

Following the second executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Cindy Fulton, school nurse, and Tiffany Cooksey, teacher/coach. Ms. Fulton's resignation is effective March 28 and Ms. Cooksey's at the end of the school year.

Calendars for the 2008-09 school year were approved. School will begin with new staff in-service on July 31. In-service for other teachers begins on Aug. 18 and continues through Aug. 22. Classes begin on Aug. 25. The first semester will end before Christmas.

A holiday is planned for Labor Day, Sept. 1.

Thanksgiving holidays will be Nov. 26-28. Christmas holidays are Dec. 22-Jan. 5, which include an in-service day for teachers and a student holiday. A holiday is planned for Martin Luther King day on Jan. 19.

Spring break will be March 16-20, 2009. Easter holidays are April 10 and 13. A holiday is scheduled for Memorial Day, May 25. June 4 is the last day of school and graduation will be June 5, 2009.

Added to the high school calendar are holidays for eligible students who have passed four TAKS test by 110 percent and juniors who have passed the exit test. Extra holidays for these eligible students are Nov. 24-25, March 23-24 and April 8-9.

Angie Berry and Debbie Welch presented a program on school counseling.

The program devotes 35-45 percent of its time to guidance curriculum; 30-40 percent to responsive services; five to 10 percent to individual planning and 10-15 percent to system support.

A program is held with the help of high school students.

Bonnie Woodard was appointed election clerk for the upcoming school election.

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, April 14, but the May meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13.

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