Softball field plans approved for bids
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Dewayne Brown presents David Sutton with the first auxiliary/paraprofessional employee of the month award.

Troup ISD trustees approved plans for a new softball field and will be accepting bids on the project. Board members made few changes to the plans presented by Ray Boudreaux, but did ask him to address renovations to bathroom facilities as a separate item.

At issue is the condition of the building, which is owned by the City of Troup. The school is willing to upgrade the bath- rooms to meet handicap accessibility requirements. The current plan is to refurbish the building, but the school is considering the feasibility of building a new structure.

The school does not own the softball field, but has assumed most of the maintenance of the grounds and facilities. The school has a longterm lease of the fields with the Troup Youth Association.

The plans presented call for shifting the field approximately 20' to the west, primarily due to drainage issues.

The plan also calls for raised bleacher seating (two sets of 100 seats) and new dugouts that will be recessed approximately two feet lower than the level of the field. Planners said these to measures would maximize visibility for spectators.

Elementary Principal Debbie Moxley honors Val LaMotte as teacher of the month at the Troup ISD board meeting Monday. Moxley praised LaMotte for her many years of service, for her adaptability in switching to fifth grade last year, and the resulting increase in TAKS scores.

The changes requested by trustees included extending fencing behind the bleachers, increasing the height of the right field fence to 12' and alternative bids for the bathroom renovations.

Due to the level of renovations, several design measures were required to meet Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.

In other matters, trustees approved revisions to FNF (local) policy regarding drug testing.

According to Supt. Marvin Beaty, the revisions are similar to NCAA guidelines. Under the new policy, a student testing positive for drug use will be retested at The Lab in Tyler as soon after the first test as possible. If the second test is positive, then the student will have a first offense. If the re-test is negative, the first test will be considered a false positive.

Students are immediately suspended from all extracurricular activities until the results of the re-test are available. A first offense is punishable by a 30-day suspension.

Another policy change involves punishment for a second offense. The board approved a revision to allow second offenders the choice of a one-year suspension or 100 hours of approved community service. Students are still suspended from extracurricular activities until the 100 hours of community service are met.

Students guilty of a third offense are banned from extracurricular activites for the rest of their school careers.

Trustee Kent Lindsey asked Beaty if wording could be added that prohibits suspended students not only from participating in extracurricular activities, but also from attending them. Beaty said he would follow the board's wishes.

Trustee Johnny Johnson made a motion to accept the revisions and make the policy changes retroactive to the first of the school year.

Keith Lindsey asked for an amendment to Johnson's motion and wanted the changes to be effective as of that night.

Keith Lindsey's motion died when it failed to receive a second, and the original motion was approved 5-2, with both Lindseys voting no.

The board also recognized teacher and students of the month, and for the first time an auxiliar y employee of the month. Dewayne Brown, director of support services, presented David Sutton, custodial and grounds supervisor.

Brown commended Sutton on his more than 20 years with the district and praised his willingness to help out wherever and whenever needed.

"Mr. Sutton is most deserving of this award and wears lots of hats for us," said Brown.

In other items, trustees:

- approved budget amendment and $6,720 for a sidewalk project at the middle school;

- approved educational field trip for THS yearbook class;

- approved revisions to the district's TAKS incentives plan;

- accepted the resignation of Barbara Barton;

- approved classroom/aid substitute list;

- heard financial report, ESL report and information about changes to this year's TAKS testing.