School Discusses Closed Campus
The GCISD School Board, meeting in regular session July 17, discussed closing its campus, so that students would not be allowed to leave campus during school hours, but postponed action on the matter.
Board member Mike Hillger said he favors an open campus, saying kids have few liberties now.
Board member Cecilia Schwartz said she would like the campus closed, at least for grades 7 and 8, though she would prefer that only juniors and seniors have the privilege of leaving campus. She said her only concern is safety, and mentioned kids both driving and walking across Highway 158, now under construction. She also said lots of kids abuse their privileges by driving too fast, and by repeatedly circling the block in front of the school.
Board member Karla Hoelscher agreed that too many drive too fast, and said she sees it firsthand, since she frequently walks from her office to the school cafeteria for lunch.
Secondary Principal Faith Scott said there have been no serious problems during lunch, but said the older kids know that when they are on the streets, the school has no jurisdiction.
Board member Brad Avery saw the issue as a parental problem, and said if parents don’t want their kids to leave the campus, they can limit the kids themselves. And he said if his kid is cruising the school, “Tell me and I’ll stop it.” He added kids driving without licenses aren’t the school’s problem, either.
The board hired Ladene Hartin as the new band director. Hartin is originally from Big Spring, graduated from Forsan High School, and has been the band director at Rochester.
Physical Education Requirement Reduced
Acting on Scott’s recommendation, the board reduced the number of physical education credits required from three to one and one-half, the state minimum, and made the change retroactive to include all current high school students.
The board plans to increase the rent teachers pay for school houses by fifty percent after current repairs and maintenance are completed, and will gradually add central heat and air to most units. A house that now rents for $100 would go to $150 per month under the new rates. Ultimately, Superintendent Steve Long said school housing should pay for its own upkeep.
Scott reported that a one-semester, concurrent technical writing course has been added to the high school curriculum, along with a concurrent course in analytical reading and critical thinking. She said it is now possible for GCHS students to get 35 hours of college credit here. She said the school is trying to be flexible, so that qualifying kids can take courses before their grade level.
Hoelscher asked what the school is offering for less talented kids, and Scott said, “As much as we can.” She went on to highlight some of the classes that are available, including Mr. Bradford’s and Ms. Barton’s, as well as web mastering and multi-media.
Insurance Changes Made
At Long’s suggestion, the board made two changes in school insurance. They increased student insurance from covering grades 6-12 for extracurricular activities only, to covering Pre-K – 12 all day and for extracurricular activities. That change will take the school’s cost from $7,600 to approximately $9,500, Long said. The school will also change it’s Workmen’s Compensation insurance carrier from the Texas Association of School Boards to a state-wide pool with Gibbs and Hallmark as the carrier, a move which Long said would lower costs without decreasing services.
Long said he wants to form a study committee which includes teachers before deciding on the school’s health insurance.
Long will present the school’s new budget to the board Aug. 14. He said the time to cut expenses is when personnel are leaving or retiring, and said it can be done without affecting the quality of education. “We have to live within our means,” he said.
In other action, the board: accepted bids for a wide variety of supplies and fuels; approved putting Kathy Wheat on the school’s signature card for signing checks and accepted three transfer students into the district.
The GCISD School Board meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. All meetings are open to the public.