Hopkins opts out JISD board
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Jasper Independent School District Board of Trustees President Eddie Hopkins opened Monday night's regular session with an announcement that he would not seek reelection when his term expires in May.

Hopkins, who has served 12 years on the board, likened his decision to a relay race.

"It is not always the fastest team who wins, but the team who successfully passes the baton," he said. "It is time for me to pass the baton."

Hopkins had previously indicated that he would step down when this term expired; however, he said that his decision to do so was tough because he has enjoyed his service to the school district.

"Thank you," he said. "This has been a good and educational experience."

The board approved a request by the Jasper County Tax-Assessor Collector Bobby Biscamp to obtain information from Jasper County Appraisal District in order to submit a proposal to collect taxes for the district. Property taxes for the school district are currently collected by JCAD.

Biscamp said that transferring school tax collection to the county would be more convenient for citizens because they would receive one tax bill instead of two that are currently paid in two different locations.

Biscamp said he would have the proposal ready by next month's meeting.

The board also approved the school calendar for 2008-2009. Students' first day of school will be Aug. 25. Graduation is May 29.

Jasper High School teacher Karen Cegielski presented a detailed proposal for receiving $146,911 from the TEA District Awards for Teacher Excellence Grant (DATE), and asked the board for permission to submit it. The board approved the proposal.

Other actions included the following items:

Approved teacher contracts.

Approved additions, deletions, revisions to Localized Policy Manual Update 82. Those are policies requiring action due to changes in the law from the 80th Legislative Session.

Gwen Gilford, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum reported that geology will be added to the high school science curriculum next year. TEA mandates that students have four science credits and this addition will give students another option.