Stephens will serve as KISD board prexy

By Lester Murraynews@kilgorenewsherald.com

Howard Stephens was elected president of the Kilgore School Board during last night’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Stephens succeeds Doug Smith. George Faber was elected vice president and Guy Hargrave was chosen to serve as secretary.

City National Bank was awarded the bank depository contract for 2005-2007. Revard Pheffer, director of business services said City National Bank has received the contract for the last four years and have given the school district “not only excellent service but excellent consideration in business services.”

The board gave AEP/SWEPCO right of way with the upcoming closure of Fritz Swanson Rd. adjacent to the high school. Pheffer said announced that both AEP/SWEPCO and Verizon have agreed to move lines for this closure at no cost to the school district. “The only cost the district will now face is from Cox Cable to re-route their lines,” said Pheffer. “This will cost the district approximately $3,000.”

Each school principal gave a report on the final few days of school. Principal Bobby Wheeley said he had 240 seniors preparing for graduation night. “Graduation will be at R.E. St. Johns stadium Thursday night at 8 p.m.,” said Wheeley.

The board renewed the contract for Region VIII for bilingual/ESL services for next year at the same cost as last year to for the KISD.

Jerry Roberts, KISD superintendent said the administration is still looking at costs for new facilities for KISD. “Some of the structures will be permanent and others will be portable,’ said Roberts.

Roberts was seeking permission from the school board to continue with pricing for these projects.

Stephens said the board agreed with this course of action and directed the administration to go ahead with project specifications.

Roberts said the administration would have numbers at the next board meeting for the school board to consider for the new construction.

Pheffer said the board should still consider action on the Homestead Exemption and hoped the Texas legislature would have school finance resolved in the next week.

“Until we know what the legislature is going to do in House Bill 2, 3 and 38 regarding school funding, it is hard to go forward at this time but it is something the school board should keep under consideration if the worst happens,” said Pheffer.

The school board nominated Mitch Lucas and Lester Murray of the Kilgore News Herald to the TASB Media Honor Roll. The board has never before submitted nominations for the honor roll.

Roberts said the nomination is for the “fair and outstanding coverage” these two reporters have given to KISD, Lucas for his outstanding sports coverage and Murray for his general coverage of the school district.