JISD approves funds for training center
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

The Jasper Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a measure Monday night to join the City of Jasper as co-applicant for an Economic Development Grant that will provide $800,000 in funds toward the construction of a new Vocational Training Center.

The training facility is to be built adjacent to the existing Jasper Higher Education and Technology Center located on Bulldog Avenue near Jasper High School.

JEDCO Executive Director Tom McClurg said that the grant application has already been submitted and that verbal confirmation has been received.

"This type of grant from the Department of Commerce is usually reserved for cities," McClurg said. "We were called after the fact because the school district owns the land and they needed to become co-applicants."

JISD Director of Finance Carolyn Foster said that the district currently has a 50 year lease with the Jasper Higher Education and Technology Foundation and there is no financial obligation for the school district other than committing the property leased to the Foundation.

JEDCO has committed $200,000 as matching funds and the Higher Education and Technology Foundation has pledged to raise the balance of approximately $300,000. Angelina Community College will conduct the vocational training courses.

McClurg said that construction of the new facility could get under way as early as this fall.

Board action also included the renewal of contract for worker's compensation coverage with Claims Administration Services for the third year of a three-year contract.

Foster reported that the district will receive a 2.45 percent decrease in premium for the 2007-2008 year.

Texas State Bank was awarded the contract as depository for school funds to be received during the 2007- 2008 biennium. School districts are required by the Texas Education Code to select depositories for funds and the selection is made after bids are submitted.

Jasper High School's varsity baseball team was presented and congratulated on their recent UIL Stare Championship prior to business action. Team members presented the Board with signed baseballs and Coach Shawn Mixon thanked them for their support.

The Board also approved the following new appointments:

Whitney Brockman - B.A., Sam Houston State University, special education teacher at Parnell Elementary

Joseph Brown - B.S., Lamar University, social studies teacher/coach at Jasper High School

Irene Byerly - B.S.I.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, third grade teacher at Parnell

Jacqueline Canton - B.S., Northwestern State University, P.E. teacher/coach at Jasper Junior High

Jeremy Carroll - B.S., Stephen F. Austin, P.E. teacher/coach at Jasper High School

Chris Carter - M.Ed., Stephen F. Austin State University, Assistant Principal at Few Primary

William Dumond - B.M.E., Henderson State University, Assistant Band Director at Rowe Intermediate School

Linda Ebarb - M.Ed., Northwestern State University, English teacher at Jasper High School

Autumn Eddins - B.A., Stephen F. Austin State University, first grade teacher at Few Primary

Kristin Franz - B.S., Lamar University, family and consumer Science teacher at Jasper High School

Carla Geeslin - B.S., Tarleton State University, computer lab teacher/coach at Jasper High School

Michael Gerard - high school diploma, auto technology teacher at Jasper High School

Crystal Harrison - B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, math teacher at Rowe

Nicole Hollis - B.S., Texas Tech University, fourth grade teacher at Parnell

Arthur Kees - M.Ed., University of Houston, ? time teacher at STARS campus

Meredith Little - M.A., Texas State University, social studies composite teacher at Jasper High School

Janice McCoy - B.A., University of Houston, third grade math teacher at Parnell

Casey Middleton - B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, P.E. Teacher at Rowe

David Quick - B.S., Lamar University, teacher at STARS campus

Jacqueline Sanders - M.Ed., Lamar University, math teacher at Jasper High School

Ramona Stricklan - B.B.A., Lamar University, fourth grade teacher at Parnell

Alison Taylor - B.S., University of Houston-Clear Lake, math teacher at Rowe

Jennifer Williamson - B.S., Angelo State University, special education teacher at Jasper Junior High

Richard Wilson - B.S., Texas A&M University, English teacher at Jasper High School