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GISD to offer more electives

Gilmer High School students will be able to study the Bible as a literature course, starting with the 2008-2009 school year.

The course was among high school course descriptions approved by the Gilmer School Board when it met Monday night.

Supt. Rick Albritton said that “it will be strictly a literature course” and will not be taught as a religious course. He said the class is an elective, and is included in English and social studies.

Coach Alan Metzel will teach the course, Albritton said.

This fall, Gilmer ISD is switching to an 8-class-a-day schedule, and the district needed more electives, the superintendent said.

He said several students had requested it.

As previously announced, Albritton said that the district will offer dual credit classes with Kilgore College. These will include kinesiology, government, economics and English 4. They will be taught in the evenings at Gilmer High School. Tuition will be $150 a course, and students will pay their own way in it.

The classes will also be open to the general public at $279 for each 3-credit course.

They also approved a calendar for the next school year.

The board cancelled the board election set for May 10, because there are no contested races. Three candidates, incumbents Gloria King and Todd Tefteller, and Les Morris, have been declared elected to full 3-year terms. Mark Skinner has been declared elected to a one-year unexpired term.

Albritton also presented preliminary 2008 junior high math scores to the board.

Of all students in the fifth grade, 76 percent met the 2008 standard, compared to 79 percent in 2007. Twenty-five percent of all were commended.

Of all students in the eighth grade, 91 percent met the standard, compared to 73 percent in 2007. Thirty-nine percent were commended.

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