Borders files first for KISD board
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

DERECK BORDERS

With George Faber stepping down from the Kilgore Independent School Board of trustees at the end of his term, another Kilgore man is throwing his hat into the ring.

Dereck Borders said Monday he will file for Position 1 which Faber will vacate in May. He is the first to announce his plans to run for the school board. Filing for the position begins February 10.

Borders grew up in the Kilgore and has two children attending KISD - Chelsi, 15, at Kilgore High School and Sydni, 10, at the Kilgore Intermediate School.

Borders' wife, Beverly, works at Chandler Elementary School.

Borders said he has been considering running for the board the last year. "I have been trying to do research about the position," said Borders.

"The main reason I am running is because I feel the board needs to take a more personal approach," said Borders. "If I am elected I plan to go out into the schools and see what the problems are, if any, and to take a hands-on approach for the students of this district."

Borders said every student in the district should be treated the same. "It doesn't matter what each is involved in, they should have the same opportunity as every other student in the school. Not all students have the same home life, this area varies a great deal, but each student should be given the same opportunities at school, in what ever they want to try and accomplish."

"This is a great school district, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. I want the parents to get more involved, also," said Borders.

Borders, who works for Tenaska Gateway Power Co., also sits on the board of the Harvest Festival Youth Livestock Show and he is the vice president of the Kilgore Ag Booster Club.

"One issue I feel could be improved is the food service for the students in the cafeteria," he said. "Being on the outside looking in right now I don't have all the answers I would like," said Borders. "But I feel if any part of the school district is losing money, food services is where it should be."

Borders said he feels the meals students receive are important and they should be receiving the best food quality they can get, regardless of Federal funding levels.

"I love Kilgore and want to be able to give something back to the community where my children go to school and, if elected, I will do the best job for the district I possibly can. I realize, if elected the first year I will be listening and learning as I serve on the board, but I hope to have a successful and proud tenure as did Mr. Faber," said Borders.