Smith says every student is his priority

INCUMBENT DOUG SMITH KISD PLACE 5 With the incumbent for Place 5 the only opposed Kilgore Independent School Board trustee position, Doug Smith says he looks forward to the race.

Smith, a member of the school board for 12 years said it is not good to get complacent about anything you do and he certainly doesn't take his position on the KISD board for granted. "I want the people to come out to the polls and vote," said Smith. "I will be actively campaigning because I look forward to continue to serve the students of KISD."

Smith said he remembers when he first was elected to t he board. "The schools financial shape was nowhere near what it is now," said Smith. "There was only $700.000 in the fund balance."

"Now we have the luxury of completing million dollar projects with out going to the public for bond support on most items," said Smith. "I look at some of the projects we have accomplished, the new wing at Kilgore Heights, new roofs on schools ahead of scheduled replacement, new Credit Recovery Building, new classrooms at Maude Laird Middle School, a new Ag Building being built with an expansion at Chandler also in progress as we speak, just to name a few."

Smith said this is because the KISD board has worked as a team along with the leadership of KISD administration. "Not only has the district taken care of the physical needs but academic needs as well," said Smith. "I have always been in support of a full time curriculum director and with the hiring of Jack Clements the future of academics at KISD is even brighter."

Smith's opponent, Janet Marley, is challenging Smith because in her words a board member needs to have children in the district. "If people look at my record they will see my whole family is dedicated to education," said Smith. "All of my children have attended Kilgore Schools, my wife Kay, works for KISD and I have a daughter-in-law and son-in-law who are both teachers, so believe me I am well informed of what is happening with the school system."

Smith said one of the things he is most proud of is the quality of the teachers and administration at KISD. "A lot of our teachers are home grown, as well as our administrators," said Smith. "My heart has always been with Kilgore and it always will be."

In just one more year KISD will be searching for a new superintendent with the scheduled retirement of J e r r y Ro b e r t s . "This is one of the biggest decisions a school board has to face," said Smith. "With our reputation as a school district I feel we will get excellent candidates and we certainly won't settle for anyone, we will be looking for the best candidate to replace Jerry."

Smith said by no means is the students of KISD not getting the attention they need or deserve. "We address all situations at KISD, looking for the needs as well as the wants, because we are looking to KISD's future as well as the needs of today," said Smith. "In the last three years KISD has made almost $12 millions dollars in improvements, all without a bond issue."

Bond issues are certainly a big challenge these days with tax rates always an issue but school districts have to face the fact that some projects are only addressable by bond issues, said Smith. "Maude Laird Middle School is at that point," said Smith. "We have done all we can to address the problems without replacing the building and that is one issue that will have to be addressed in the coming years."

Smith said as a school board they look at all options and then if a bond is needed it goes to the public. "It's not as if we have the power to approve it, it is up to the voting members of the district," said Smith.

No Child Left Behind is a subject that is not up to the school board, said Smith. "State mandates, such as TAKS testing is set by state mandates and it is up to the school to meet these mandates," said Smith.

I hope to get the support of the community based on my past record, district technology second to none, lower tax rate which the board is being responsible to tax payers, but win or lose you will still see me out there supporting our kids in all they are accomplishing, I just want to see everyone get out and vote, said Smith.