Driver’s Education Begins in Spring
At their regular meeting Nov. 10, the GCISD school board approved starting an after-school driver’s education program in the spring. Ken Hoskins will teach the course, which will cost students $150 each and begin Feb. 2. Assuming 20 students, the school’s cost would be $3,440 in teacher pay, and revenue would be $3,000. The cost for a car has not yet been determined.
After eight hours of safety instruction, a student can take the written exam and receive a permit to drive with someone 21 years or older. Students must be 14 to take the course, and 15 to have a permit. The student must also complete seven hours of actual driving and seven hours of observation. Driving will begin in April.
Currently, parents must either home-school their kids in driver’s education or take them to Big Spring or Midland for instruction, usually at a cost of $250 to $300.
Enrollment in the elementary school is147 (K–6), with another 14 in pre-kindergarten. There are126 in grades 7–12, for a district-wide total of 287.
GCISD has been awarded a rating of “Superior Achievement” in the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. The results were reviewed at a public meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 (which no one from the public attended).
School Superintendent Steve Long reported eight grants received from 2000 – 2004, totaling more than $1.5 million.