Our Viewpoint Editorials
SB 9 adds more safety to education system

Finally our state leaders got something right when it comes to the education of our children.

Senate Bill 9 went into effect for school districts across Texas Jan. 1.

This bill will make it mandatory for all school personnel to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check. It would also allow school districts to share information on incidents when school employees change from one district to another.

According to Senator Florence Shapiro, the bill's author, the School Safety Act will protect Texas students and teachers in public school from registered sex offenders and criminals convicted of a felony offense against a child.

Some school districts have cried foul over the timing of the bill going into effect. Many school districts throughout Texas are strapped in financial restraints and this bill will only add another burden on school districts.

Students need to feel completely safe while at school and should feel that their schools are a safe haven away from those wishing to do harm to them.

Kudos to Jasper ISD for already implementing many of the facets of the bill. Jasper ISD already requires a criminal background check on all teaching personnel in the district.

The only issue we have with the bill is why did it take until 2008 to get this bill passed through the Texas Legislature. Our state's leaders pass and argue over just about every partisian bill that comes through Austin, but this should have been a slam dunk and it should have happened many years ago.

Our students' safety should always be a high priority and should have been one in Austin many years ago.

Roses go to….

t The LP plant for providing the city of Jasper with two additional "Welcome to Jasper" signs. Nice move.

t To all those who enjoyed the spirit of the season by giving of their time and gifts to those in need this holiday season.

t To all the children in JISD who gave toys during JPA's Toys for Tots program this year. Job well done, again.