Save Rocket Pride!

[coolguy465]

The community forum is Thursday night @ 7 pm at the PAC. Please come show your support for the Judson athletic program.

SAVE ROCKET PRIDE!

[DiamondJ2]

Just got back to town. How did the forum go?

[eingedikid]

Just got back to town. How did the forum go?
With the number of potentially still-unresolved issues (at least in the eyes of many in attendance) and the potential for controversy, if I could take a vacation for the next 6 weeks or so in Antarctica or maybe on the moon [my preference would be Hadley-Appennine (Apollo 15) or Taurus Littrow (Apollo 17)], I think I would.

[DiamondJ2]

In other words, business as usual for JISD board and administration as it has been for the past 4-5 years.

[coolguy465]

Horrible. I don't think the administration cares about athletics at all. I can only hope the school board will stand up for what's right at the school board meeting next Thursday.

If the school board lets the administration cram this down their throat, Judson's athletic program will be devastated. Can you imagine running a supposedly first-class 5A program out of portable buildings and no practice or game fields? That's ridiculous. Doesn't anyone besides the coaches and players and a few loyal fans care anymore about Rocket Pride? :confused:

[DiamondJ2]

No other program at Judson has brought more money to JISD. Just think of the all times Judson has been in playoffs and how far the Rockets have advanced. A lot of money coming in to Judson High's general fund. Contrary to popular belief, the money from the ticket sales for playoffs went to the high school's general fund which in turn went to academic programs. Yet, the district total budget for Judson football including it's middle schools, is less than 1%. What put Judson on the map was not only football, but basketball, track, and baseball.

They want to downsize the dressing rooms for both boys and girls including the coaching offices, classrooms, weight room and training room. With the exception of the weight room and training room, the other areas on both sides are small now. Like the $425 raise the Texas legislature is giving teachers next year, it's a slap in the face.

Yes, a new school is needed, but with limited disruption. I could see it for maybe a year or two, but not 3-4 years.

[J-Rock Mom]

Thier plan is ridiculous, how can they actually think that this would not hurt the district. I agree a new school is needed but they have to do something other then disrupting the sports programs. These programs I think help keep a lot of kids out of trouble. It gives them something to do and somewhere to go.

[bullrock]

Why do you think Rutledge left?? We can bad mouth the board all we want. The majority spoke when they elected them. Remember this too. School is about academics no matter what all of us on this board want to believe. If programs have to be disrupted and I were the parent of a current student there, I would rather see athletics pushed aside more so than readin' writin' or 'rithmetic. As you can see, athletics got the best of me. I can't even spell. I know everything I just said goes against the grain of everyone on the board, but we need to face reality. School should be for learnin' first and extra curricular second. If we lose some of the kids because of this, maybe it will a blessing. Might clean out some of the rubbish that have caused the program to deteriorate in the first place. I for one wouldn't mind seeing people stop moving into the district. It is getting entirely too big.

[J-Rock Mom]

Why do you think Rutledge left?? We can bad mouth the board all we want. The majority spoke when they elected them. Remember this too. School is about academics no matter what all of us on this board want to believe. If programs have to be disrupted and I were the parent of a current student there, I would rather see athletics pushed aside more so than readin' writin' or 'rithmetic. As you can see, athletics got the best of me. I can't even spell. I know everything I just said goes against the grain of everyone on the board, but we need to face reality. School should be for learnin' first and extra curricular second. If we lose some of the kids because of this, maybe it will a blessing. Might clean out some of the rubbish that have caused the program to deteriorate in the first place. I for one wouldn't mind seeing people stop moving into the district. It is getting entirely too big.


I'm sorry but I disagree with some of what you are saying. Athletics is what keeps some kids on the straight and narrow. They know if they don't make the grade or screw up they can't play so most not all of them work harder not to fail. Most not all of the kids that play sports are more respectiveful to elders I think because what the coaches have instilled in them.
But that is my .02.
And regards to people moving into the district, this in happening in all districts. This city is growing way too fast.

[PaulinPlano]

No other program at Judson has brought more money to JISD. Just think of the all times Judson has been in playoffs and how far the Rockets have advanced. A lot of money coming in to Judson High's general fund. Contrary to popular belief, the money from the ticket sales for playoffs went to the high school's general fund which in turn went to academic programs. Yet, the district total budget for Judson football including it's middle schools, is less than 1%. What put Judson on the map was not only football, but basketball, track, and baseball.

They want to downsize the dressing rooms for both boys and girls including the coaching offices, classrooms, weight room and training room. With the exception of the weight room and training room, the other areas on both sides are small now. Like the $425 raise the Texas legislature is giving teachers next year, it's a slap in the face.

Yes, a new school is needed, but with limited disruption. I could see it for maybe a year or two, but not 3-4 years.

Thier plan is ridiculous, how can they actually think that this would not hurt the district. I agree a new school is needed but they have to do something other then disrupting the sports programs. These programs I think help keep a lot of kids out of trouble. It gives them something to do and somewhere to go.

Has anyone studied the viable options and commented in these meetings? Are there any other options that have been ignore? And for what reason? This may be the only viable solution for a difficult situation.

[PaulinPlano]

Why do you think Rutledge left?? We can bad mouth the board all we want. The majority spoke when they elected them. Remember this too. School is about academics no matter what all of us on this board want to believe. If programs have to be disrupted and I were the parent of a current student there, I would rather see athletics pushed aside more so than readin' writin' or 'rithmetic. As you can see, athletics got the best of me. I can't even spell. I know everything I just said goes against the grain of everyone on the board, but we need to face reality. School should be for learnin' first and extra curricular second. If we lose some of the kids because of this, maybe it will a blessing. Might clean out some of the rubbish that have caused the program to deteriorate in the first place. I for one wouldn't mind seeing people stop moving into the district. It is getting entirely too big.

I agree with academics first, that is the path the Allen ISD has taken. They have first rate facilities even for athletics but have sacrificed by not building a stadium that is long overdue.

But I would also say that Converse football is also apart of the community. It brings people together and should not be totally sacrificed. Again, I would like to hear if there were any other viable options. Sounds like long range planning (like land purchases etc.) may have been ignored years ago. Time to pay the piper.

[Warbird]

This city is growing way too fast.

Move to Abilene. We'll gladly take your kid.:p

[TexasRed6x]

The school board wil do what they want to do and nobody will change that, As far as I see it over 25 years of the football team has put some very serious cash into that school and has paid the salaries of many a person at Judson. As far a learing first, that goes without saying but if that is what it is all about then take out all athletics from the schools. Judson needs to to right thing here, Converse Judson has always been know as a football school and winning has created that. It looks as though we might be know for our sewing clubs and cooking awardsif this keeps up. It is time to make Football the first priority seeing as though they have put millions of dollars back in the school.

[CKE]

maybe it is the best time for it since judson seems do be in there down years........I would rather have it then instead of a team that is almost a shoe in for a state championship game

[DiamondJ2]

maybe it is the best time for it since judson seems do be in there down years........I would rather have it then instead of a team that is almost a shoe in for a state championship game

Down Years?? Let's see: Rockets don't make playoffs in 06; State Runner-ups in 05; State semifinalist in 04; no playoffs in 03; State Champs in 02. I know a lot of schools that would be happy to make the state semifinals 3 out of 5 years and have a state championship, too. Don't sell the Rockets too short yet.

[CKE]

Down Years?? Let's see: Rockets don't make playoffs in 06; State Runner-ups in 05; State semifinalist in 04; no playoffs in 03; State Champs in 02. I know a lot of schools that would be happy to make the state semifinals 3 out of 5 years and have a state championship, too. Don't sell the Rockets too short yet.

They did not make the playoffs and last year and not looking good this year for them.......and with wagner on the rise it just does not look like judosn will be the team they were anytime soon. Dont take offenes to it im just stating an opinion not a fact

[atx]

Judson has been the MOST domiate 5A football program in the state since 1980, hands down.

But unless they switch districts, I don't see Judson making the playoffs for a long time. There are many factors, including Wagner and the school board, but the coaching staff has seemed to have lost the luster of Rocket Pride. I don't think Rackley can get it done there anymore. He just carried on Rutledges program for a couple of years.

Judson will beat Wagner this year and battle for 4th place in 26-5a, but after that Wagner will dominate and Judson will struggle in mediocracy.

[TexasRed6x]

They did not make the playoffs and last year and not looking good this year for them.......and with wagner on the rise it just does not look like judosn will be the team they were anytime soon. Dont take offenes to it im just stating an opinion not a fact

I agree here, but in about 4 years Judson and Wagner will both be near the top. Judson has about 3500 kids now and in 4 years will be back to 4200+ kids. Wagner about the same time will be pushing 3200 kids so yes today and a couple of years Judson will not be as awesome as they once were, but the future is bright. Now with that said if the current coaching staff is in place at Judson, then it will not matter average at best is all you will ever get.

[atx]

I agree here, but in about 4 years Judson and Wagner will both be near the top. Judson has about 3500 kids now and in 4 years will be back to 4200+ kids. Wagner about the same time will be pushing 3200 kids so yes today and a couple of years Judson will not be as awesome as they once were, but the future is bright. Now with that said if the current coaching staff is in place at Judson, then it will not matter average at best is all you will ever get.

I'm going to be politically correct here, but the way the bounderies are set, Wagner will get the "better athletes" than Judson. Plus, right now Wagner has the better coaching staff.

[winagain]

On what basis are you so sure Wagner has a better staff than Judson? I've never understood that.

Compare the head coaches: Rackley has many more years of experience, a state championship, 2 state finals appearances, and 3 semifinal appearances, while Gibbens has only won one game as a head coach. And if Gibbens is so great, why didn't they promote him instead of Rackley?

Compare DCs: Rhoades is a hell of a lot better than Hall or Monk or whoever Wagner's DC is.

Compare OCs: Sure Mangold isn't popular on this board, but who is the guy at Wagner -- oh, I'm sorry, he came from that powerhouse known as Rockport Fulton.

Compare the rest of the staffs: Guy Anderson (a former great Judson QB), Mark Soto (a former great Judson LB), Joel Call (a former Judson player), Webb (a longtime Judson coach), Boelter (a longtime Judson coach), Brothers (a longtime Judson coach), and some others.

Who is so special at Wagner?

[DiamondJ2]

I agree here, but in about 4 years Judson and Wagner will both be near the top. Judson has about 3500 kids now and in 4 years will be back to 4200+ kids. Wagner about the same time will be pushing 3200 kids so yes today and a couple of years Judson will not be as awesome as they once were, but the future is bright. Now with that said if the current coaching staff is in place at Judson, then it will not matter average at best is all you will ever get.

At the end of the school year Judson had 3100 students. . . .fact, not guesstimate. Both schools will continue to grow. Staff at Wagner is good, but problems are present at Wagner. School population is . . . . .interesting. Lack of self-discipline is evident. Will the players buy into what the coaches are selling? Athletes are present, but other factors have to be considered. Sam Houston has athletes and their success is what? personally, I believe that the staff a Judson is above average. I do see a change in the way that some of staff coaches compared to the past. I don't expect Coach Rackley to be the head coach more than a year or two.

[J-Rock Mom]

At the end of the school year Judson had 3100 students. . . .fact, not guesstimate. Both schools will continue to grow. Staff at Wagner is good, but problems are present at Wagner. School population is . . . . .interesting. Lack of self-discipline is evident. Will the players buy into what the coaches are selling? Athletes are present, but other factors have to be considered. Sam Houston has athletes and their success is what? personally, I believe that the staff a Judson is above average. I do see a change in the way that some of staff coaches compared to the past. I don't expect Coach Rackley to be the head coach more than a year or two.

I couldn't agree with you more. A school could have all the talent in the world but if they have no self discipline or have behavior problems they will not amount to anything.

[DiamondJ2]

Weekly Wonders
June 2, 2007
Superintendent Notes from Ed Lyman, Ed. D.

“I choose excellence for all students!”

HIGH SCHOOL REDESIGN PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday, May 31, 2007, JISD administrators hosted a public meeting to present options for the new Red Campus schematic design. There were about 80 people present to hear the architect present three options for the building orientation on the existing site.
After the meeting adjourned, the architect and district administrators fielded questions and concerns from the audience. Most of the questions dealt with the disruption of athletic activities during the construction of the new campus. Several people wanted us to leave the 600 athletic building intact and build around it. This and several other alternatives were considered and rejected as impractical by planning committees before the bond went to vote last year.
The architect assured the group that the new athletic facilities would meet or exceed the quality of the current facilities. Several, extra-curricular activities will be disrupted during the construction phase. We will do our best to minimize this disruption so that Judson High School can maintain the tradition of success.

[J-Rock Mom]

Weekly Wonders
June 2, 2007
Superintendent Notes from Ed Lyman, Ed. D.

“I choose excellence for all students!”

HIGH SCHOOL REDESIGN PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday, May 31, 2007, JISD administrators hosted a public meeting to present options for the new Red Campus schematic design. There were about 80 people present to hear the architect present three options for the building orientation on the existing site.
After the meeting adjourned, the architect and district administrators fielded questions and concerns from the audience. Most of the questions dealt with the disruption of athletic activities during the construction of the new campus. Several people wanted us to leave the 600 athletic building intact and build around it. This and several other alternatives were considered and rejected as impractical by planning committees before the bond went to vote last year.
The architect assured the group that the new athletic facilities would meet or exceed the quality of the current facilities. Several, extra-curricular activities will be disrupted during the construction phase. We will do our best to minimize this disruption so that Judson High School can maintain the tradition of success.


This is happening just like 3 years ago when they were realigning the middle schools, they had a meeting at my youngest school to discuss the matter. What they were going to do is instead of busing our kids 2 miles to Kitty Hawk they wanted to bus them almost 10 miles to Woodlake Hills. We had it out with then super ??? but he acted like he did not care and that the discussion was made an they was nothing we could do about it. So now our kids are bused that nearly 10 miles away so the way I see it is that when they make the discussions no matter how much they are stupid discussion it is going to go the way of the board and the parents have no say so.

[RocketQB]

I couldn't agree with you more. A school could have all the talent in the world but if they have no self discipline or have behavior problems they will not amount to anything.

You are so right! That is exactly what is going on at Judson. Talented players with no self-discipline and no respect for leadership.

[DiamondJ2]

You are so right! That is exactly what is going on at Judson. Talented players with no self-discipline and no respect for leadership.

Do believe she was referring to Wagner.

[winagain]

With regard to Judson, I agree they had some discipline problems the last two years. The Judson coaches suspended some players, which hurt them in some big games, but it was the right thing to do. At one point in 2005, they had an incredible 13 starters out with injuries or discipline problems. Of course, in 2006 they suspended their starting runningback only hours before the season-ending loss to Reagan. The 2007 edition, however, is showing signs of being a very disciplined group. And I think they're going to win lots of games.

[J-Rock Mom]

With regard to Judson, I agree they had some discipline problems the last two years. The Judson coaches suspended some players, which hurt them in some big games, but it was the right thing to do. At one point in 2005, they had an incredible 13 starters out with injuries or discipline problems. Of course, in 2006 they suspended their starting runningback only hours before the season-ending loss to Reagan. The 2007 edition, however, is showing signs of being a very disciplined group. And I think they're going to win lots of games.

Hopefully this year will be a little different. I hope most of our boys can keep their heads in the books and make the plays on the field, and not screw up or mouth off then we should be fine!!!