Street runs for JISD Board of Trustees

Tommy Street

Tommy Street has announced his candidacy for the Jasper Independent School Board of Trustees.

"I am a proud resident of Jasper and I am excited about the future of our community and school system," Street said. "I have made many friendships with local people from past job opportunities. As a parent of a young child that will be entering the Jasper School system in the near future, I have a vested interest in seeing our school district strive towards academic excellence.

"I would consider it a privilege to have the opportunity of ensuring students of JISD have a strong educational foundation so they can achieve their goals and dreams," Street said. "I firmly believe that regardless of economic status every child deserves the best education and one way of leveling the playing field is to ensure our education system equips students to pursue and achieve their full potential."

Street graduated from Jasper High School in 1986, graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, and opened a business in Lufkin as a Personnel Financial Representative for Allstate in 2004.

Street is married to a 1991 Jasper graduate, Rachel McLeod, who also went to SFA and earned a Bachelors of Science degree to run her own business as a dietitian; she currently works for three local businesses in Jasper, Newton and Woodville.

The Streets have a twoyear old son, Mac, who will be enrolled in the Jasper school system and we currently have three nephews, five nieces and numerous friends with children attending Jasper schools.

They attend Hillcrest Baptist Church, and Street is a member of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge 669, the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Forest Country Partnership, and a member of the Texas Region Agent Advisory Council.

"Last fall, I meet with a school board trustee and discussed the potential of running for the school board," Street said. "I learned of many laudable goals that have been set by our current board of trustees, and if elected, I plan on continuing those efforts by working to prioritize the needs of the students, the staff and the administration of Jasper ISD.

"Along with the current board, I share the view that we have to reward our teachers and continue to recruit the best personnel available to teach our children," Street said. "While we can never pay them what their truly worth, I would like to see us do more to reward their dedication and hard work.

"I also believe it is important to take the next step and recognize the qualities our global market place is looking for in a skilled work force," Street said. "As a recent Jasper Newsboy article stated, math scores have steadily increased but are not at the required levels. Technology, engineering and health care are the jobs of tomorrow, and by focusing on these fields of study our students will be better prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead."

Street believes another key issue is the interest that many schools in our region, including Jasper, have in improving science and math scores.

"By continuing to focus on improvement in these key areas, we stand to benefit our children and the entire Jasper community," Street said. "Another recent Jasper Newsboy article stated we are living in an area of the country that is poised for economic growth-a retirement haven, a vacation destination, an industrial job site potential-bringing these people to Jasper creates jobs and serves to bolster our local economy.

"We would see new construction for homes and businesses, tax dollars for improving our roads, utility systems and most importantly our school system," Street said. "It has been said many times that our children are our future. I certainly believe that to be true. By working together and planning for the future, I am convinced that the brightest days for the children of Jasper and our community are still in front of us."