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December 31, 2007

Bond is big, but football reigns in PN-GISD

by Darragh Doiron







Residents entrusted $123 million to the Port Neches-Groves School District in a bond election this year, but somehow the superintendent still has football high on her mind.

“The major project we have going has to do with the bond,” Dr. Lani Randall, PN-GISD Superintendent, said.

The success of the PN-G Indians’ football season was another chart topper when Randall began considering successes for an end-of-year highlight update.

The Indians varsity football team became co-district champs and fans of purple and white supported their team throughout the season, she said. This was her chance to point out that in addition to players, the football program is an opportunity for students to shine on the drill team, in the band, as cheerleaders, on the flag corps, etc.

Residents voted their confidence in the district this May, Randall said.

“We’ve had very positive comments from our patrons,” she said.

Money from the bond will allow the district to make repairs to elementary schools, build two new middle schools, make renovations to and rebuild part of the high school and improve the school’s baseball and softball areas. Work on these projects is being done in phases.

Indians should also be able to root for their team in an improved stadium. The bidding process has begun.

“We’re just kind of starting the process,” she said.

Going for Gold

“This year every campus in the district received one or more Gold Performance Acknowledgments for high performance on specific tests.

This year every campus in the district received one or more Gold Performance Acknowledgments for high performance on specific TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) tests,” Randall said. “That’s pretty good.”

District supporters

The business community continues to sponsor motivational programs for both students and faculty.

“We are very proud of the many partners that we have in the community,” she said. “BASF has donated funds to every campus for projects this year. Allen Samuels donates a car for perfect attendance,” she said. “Philpott Motors is providing six weeks and end-of-year incentives for employees for perfect attendance.”

Students in several programs have the opportunity to work as part of their education.

“There’s so many people out there that don’t get mentioned very often who year after year support both with time and money, because they believe that education is so important.”

“We emphasize the importance of education includes both parents and teachers working together to allow children to achieve their highest academic ability.

Other highlights

Randall pointed district supporters to the Your Schools newsletter for a variety of highlights, including news of the Indian Varsity Volleyball Team, the Rock-A-Noos, raking up a 14-0 district record. The Girl’s Cross Country Team won first place at a district meet, and the boy’s team won third at a district meet.

Monica Deese of PN-G Middle School, became a Lamar Educator Hall of Fame Inductee.

To the future

“The second semester begins in January. We will continue to meet the needs of individual learners,” Randall said.

The district encourages ongoing assessment and adjusting instruction as needed, she said.

Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.

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