School board approves funds for fitness center
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Principal Derek Driver recognizes Preston Pittinger as the high school student of the month. Driver said the senior plays baseball and hopes to attend Abilene Christian University. He is a member of Glenwood Church of Christ youth group and is a volunteer for the Children's Miracle Network. At left, Principal Debbie Moxley presents Ethan Houghton as elementary student of the month. Moxley praised the third-grader as a wonderful student who is liked by all his teachers. Ethan loves to read and likes playing baseball and basketball.

School board members OK'd funds to establish the Troup ISD Fitness Center at Monday's regular monthly meeting. Trustees approved the necessar y budget amendment to authorize both startup funds and an annual operating cost.

Girls basketball coach Mitch fitness center

Davis joined four other faculty and staff members in recommending the fitness center to trustees, with Davis estimating start-up costs at $8,300 and the annual re-occurring cost at $6,000.

"We feel like this is a worthwhile request," said Davis, who joined four other campus reps in surveying all district employees about their inter- est in a fitness center and wellness program. "We would like to develop a program that would be beneficial to teachers and in turn benefit the children of the district."

Davis said healthier employees should miss less work due to illness and that a fitness center program would be a selling point for future prospects.

With exercise equipment already available in the middle school weight room, the fitness center facilities are available to district employees as well as members of the community. However, the committee proposed a $10 annual fee for school personnel who want to participate in the wellness program benefits, such as aerobics classes taught by licensed instructors, workout programs and guidance and incentives.

Trustee Keith Lindsey asked Davis how many people were interested in the program, and Davis said that 100 of the returned surveys indicated interested.

Keith Lindsey also asked about the possibility of worker's comp claims, but Supt. Marvin Beaty said because the program was voluntary and not work-related that their should not be an issue.

Technology director Shannon Capps presents Teresa Waggoner, network manager, as the paraprofessional/ auxiliary employee of the month. Waggoner was a Troup ISD volunteer before becoming an employee. She has been with the district 15 years and in the technology department for 12 years. Capps commended Waggoner as an integral part of her staff.

In other matters, trustees approved updates to legal and local TASB policies, heard a financial report from Jennifer Stewart, approved a Cherokee County refund application for AT&T Mobility LLC and tabled a presentation on oil and gas production values.