Dean pleased with policy change
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Jasper ISD's change in the graduation policy was one that has been considered for the past couple of years, according to Superintendent Bill "Butch" Dean.

"That was an extremely difficult decision," Dean said. "It is something that we have visited every year. A lot of consideration came into play in making this decision.

"This has been discussed before and every year we have reviewed it," Dean said.

There are 14 students that are scheduled to participate in this year's ceremony as a result of the May 14 decision.

Dean said area junior colleges and military are now accepting completion of courses as a graduation requirement.

"Our school district requires more credits than the state requires," Dean said. "There are even some four-year colleges that are looking at accepting students who have met their completion of courses and credits."

He said as he met the students who had failed a portion of a TAKS required for graduation, he found students "who just have a hard time with tests."

"There was a lot of consideration given to all facets of the issue," Dean said.

The decision, which was decided by vote of 4- 3, allows students who have failed a portion of the TAKS tests to go through the graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of completion.

"It was a very hard decision," Dean said. "We feel good about what was done and if it had gone the other way, we would have supported that also."

Of the surrounding school districts, Jasper was the lone holdout in not allowing these students to participate in graduation ceremonies. Kirbyville, Newton, Buna and Woodville ISD allow the students to participate in the ceremonies.

"We guess we were the Lone Ranger I guess you might say," Dean said. "I think you will see more school districts doing this now especially with the legislature backing off of TAKS now."

More than 40,000 students statewide failed a portion of the TAKS test this year and that has drawn the attention of state lawmakers.

The district offers tutoring for all the students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

"We set aside federal and state money every year so that we can offer these tutoring classes," Dean said. "We even have had some kids from other districts want to enroll in our summer classes, which we would accept, if we weren't full. But we take our kids first and most of the time we are full.

"I would encourage everyone of those kids that have completed their course work to take advantage of the summer tutoring classes," Dean said.

Dean said the TAKS scores for the district are out but haven't been completely compiled by district personnel.

He said the scores should be announced at the June JISD board meeting.

Dean said this year "has been a challenge at times but there are some things we need to work on over the summer in order to plan for next year."

"It is different every year," Dean said.

One new hire that is expected to be announced this summer is a new high school principal. Dr. Dean Miller was reassigned to Few Primary last month.

"We will start interviews soon for that position," Dean said.