Rusk Independent School District’s new gymnasium is on its way to getting off the drawing boards.
Superintendent Jim Largent reported to RISD board members during Monday’s regular school board meeting that construction crews were ready to begin dirt work on the new facility’s site this week.
“We’re probably going to see significant construction out there in the next month,” Largent said on Tuesday.
Trustees unanimously approved the project’s guaranteed maximum price at $4,005,103 and the project’s total cost at $4,358,458 in January.
The project includes building a parking lot, practice gym and hospitality room.
The new gym will be located across Eagle’s Drive from the main student parking lot at the high school.
Project manager Stephen Berry, with Berry and Clay Construction, said the facility could be finished as soon as Nov. 1, 2009.
“We’re going to try for a November 1 finish date,” Berry told the school board in January, “but I can’t promise anything. I’ve spoken with the metal building suppliers and they’re going to work with us as much as they can, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
In other business, trustees approved Largent’s recommendation to hire Ted Patton, 37, as the new Rusk head football coach and athletics director.
Patton will begin his tenure with RISD on March 25.
As head football coach of Elysian Fields, Patton took the Yellowjackets to the District 19-2A state finals in 2007 and the regional semifinals in 2006.
A total of 111 applied for the position following the reassignment of Wayne Mahaffey, who was at the helm of the Rusk program for nine years.
Other items RISD trustees approved on Monday include:
• the 2008-08 school calendar;
• an Optional Flexible Year Program; and
• Bonnie Woodard as alternate judge for the upcoming school board election.
The Rusk Independent School District meets at 6 p.m. every first Monday of the month, unless otherwise posted, at the Administration office, 203 E. Seventh St., Rusk. The public is welcome.
Local News
RISD new gym project, new head coach starts this month
- Local News
-
-
UIL realignment positive for Jacksonville, Rusk
The University Interscholastic League's bi-annual realignment, covering school terms 2012-13 and 2013-14, released on Thursday morning, drew cheers in Jacksonville and Rusk.
-
Woman dies in one vehicle accident
A local woman died Thursday evening in a one vehicle crash.
-
Rusk business might expand
Members of the city, businesses and education communities in Rusk met this week to encourage the job creation of one local business.
-
State looks at possibility of two primaries
Texas faces the possibility of hosting two primary dates for November elections.
-
County officials concerned by illegal dumping
Sheet rock, old couches, paint tins and more have been illegally dumped on a property off of County Road 3402.
-
JMS student council pushes smoke-free public
After a weekend-long retreat, Jacksonville Middle School student council members are ready to stand behind the city for tobacco free air.
-
National Letter of Intent today
Prep football standouts in the Class of 2012 will begin revealing their college plans early this morning — National Letter of Intent signing day, which is the first day a high school senior can officially sign with a college or university.
-
City looks to update website
The city of Rusk is looking into updating their web presence with a newly designed website.
-
Band originating at JC returns to Jacksonville
What began as an idea turned into a performing reality for five college students who met while attending Jacksonville College.
- Two injured at Fagen plant Tuesday morning
- More Local News Headlines
-
UIL realignment positive for Jacksonville, Rusk





