JISD makes appointment of Dean final
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

The Jasper Independent School District Board of Trustees officially hired Bill "Butch" Dean as Superintendent of Schools at their meeting Monday, May 21. The Board approved a three year contract at a salary of $113,000 per year.

An additional action included unanimous approval of the waiver of credentials as recommended and approved by the District Site Based Decision Making Committee, May 16.

Dean received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971 from Lamar University and a Masters Education In Supervision and Management in 1974. He was employed as a teacher from 1971-1976 and returned to the district in 1985, where he was Director of Finance and Operations until December 1, 2006. At that time, he was appointed to the position of Interim Superintendent. Dean is not currently certified as Superintendent in Texas; therefore, a general waiver of credentials is being requested from TEA.

The Board reorganized to include newly elected members Kevin Kipp and Melissa Armstrong. Brenda Job was elected president; Eddie Hopkins, vice president; and Joe Breckinridge, secretary.

Two actions involving insurance were approved. The first was renewal of coverage with Brazos Valley Insurance Group for extracurricular insurance for the 2007-08 school year in the amount of $26,998. The Brazos Valley Insurance Group utilizes the Texas Athlete Network and medical providers agree to accept parents' insurance and the school's extracurricular coverage on "Full assignment."

Every year the district has elected to purchase insurance coverage for extracurricular activities for students. The company will also provide insurance coverage for any student in the district if parents desire to purchase additional coverage. This insurance is intended as "supplemental coverage" for students participating in extracurricular activities.

The second proposal was for property, liability and vehicle insurance. The Board approved renewal of the second year of the contract with Property Casualty Alliance of Texas in the amount of $200,931,00.

Carolyn Foster reported that because the district is in a two year contract with PCAT, there was no increase in premium; however, there is an overall increase of $8,390 due to rising replacement cost values.

In addition to the above coverage, the district covers the PELE program with a general liability sexual harassment/ abuse policy. There was also no increase in the premium amount of $970.79.

"We are blessed to get insurance with no rate increase," Foster said. "Many school districts are seeing large increases. Our current insurance is locked in because we entered into a two year contract in 2006."

The Board also approved the following list of appointments:

Charles Atchinson- B.A., Northwestern Oklahoma State University, physical education teacher/ coach at Jasper High School.

Stephanie Eddins- B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, third grade teacher at Parnell Elementary

Tammy Hazlewood- B.S., Lamar University, fourth grade reading lab teacher at Parnell Elementary

Ty Robinson- B.A., Texas Tech University, social studies teacher/coach at Jasper High School

John Seybold- M.Ed., Stephen F. Austin State University, Assistant Principal at Jasper Junior High School