HUDSON TO EXPAND HIGH SCHOOL FACILITIES

Hudson ISD trustees have given the go-ahead for an expansion project
at the high school to get under way.

During a special meeting held June 29, the board approved the
construction, which will add seven to nine new classrooms.

HISD Superintendent Mary Ann Whiteker said the addition, which is
scheduled for completion next summer, will help the district handle
the 3- to 6-percent growth the district is experiencing.

"Right now the growth is in the lower grades, so we are preparing
for the students as they move through to the high school," she said.

Whiteker said the district qualified for a Qualified Zone Academy
Bond loan, which is an interested-free loan for the expansion project.

In addition to the upcoming construction, the Hudson board also
approved the 2006-07 student code of conduct. Whiteker said there
were a few updates due to changes made by the legislature as well as
the expanding the random drug testing of students in grades 7
through 12 to include those students who drive vehicles onto campus
or to within 300 feet of school property.

Whiteker said the additional 300 feet is allowed by law and falls
under the "safe school zone." And, she said in a previous report,
the random drug testing will be lowered to also include seventh- and
eighth-graders who participate in extracurricular activities.

During the HISD regular board meeting last month, the establishment
of its own police department was approved, and during the special
meeting, the board hired Michael Paul Daniel as its new chief of police.

Other new hires include Laurie Burton, Amber Worthy, Tammy
Innerarity, Theresa Matthews, Enda Waley and Keisha Watts.

The board of trustees accepted resignations from Ada Brooks, Connie
Carr, Zach Johnson, Cheryl Gilchrist and Chris Nash.