Culinary Arts Building nears completion

By: J. Leslie Riseden

Special Contributor to

The Steel Country Bee

Work is progressing on the new Culinary Arts facility at Hughes Springs High School. At the regular meeting of the Hughes Springs ISD board on June 13, the board approved expenditures of $12,183.49 for flooring and $34,273.00 for culinary equipment. Other expenses that were approved were security cameras for the school district at $16,190.38 and the purchase of classroom furniture for both the high school and elementary school.

In other business, the HSISD board voted unanimously to add “Academy Seminar” and “Mustangs Work” to the curriculum for the 2016-17 scholastic year. Texas Education Agency (TEA) gives school districts the option to offer state-approved innovative courses. These courses enable students to master knowledge, skills, and competencies not included in the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum. “Academy Seminar” provides a springboard to college success by providing collegegoing skills and a supported college experience that can save families money by reducing university tuition as well as housing and living expenses. “Mustangs Work” is a new class that will focus on personal finance, job acquirement skills, career centered skills, character building, etc. “Our goal is to have students ready for the workforce or for college when they leave our campus,“ said Hughes Springs High School Counselor Misty Lake. “The Mustangs Work class will arm our students with many of the tools they will need to enter the workforce and independence.” Additional information about these courses is available at the high school. Van Hall and Robyn Shelton, having been reelected in May, were sworn in by Notary Public Nita Clark. The board voted unanimously to retain the same officers as in the previous year: President, Bill Lindsey; Vice President, Van Hall; and Secretary, Rick Nelson.

Superintendent Sarah Dildine presented her report to the board, advising that the end of the year enrollment was 1,237, and that Mr. Kelly Kinney has been hired as an Ag- Science teacher and possibly for some coaching duties. Due to the recent issues with STAAR testing, fifth and eighth graders will not have to retake the tests. The remaining test scores for grades 3-8 are expected to arrive in July, and summer school will be held later for students who need help.