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Rusk ISD

Board of Trustees

Participate

All meetings are open to the public.

In Person:  Unless otherwise posted, all meetings are held at 6:00 PM at the Rusk ISD Training Center, 199 Eagle Drive, Rusk, Texas 75785

Join by Zoom:  

Zoom Meeting
Passcode: 3i0iSp  

By Phone Dial (346) 248 7799
Meeting ID: 616 269 0197
Passcode: 777720

School Board Meetings

Regular & Special Meeting Schedule for 2026-2027

  • July 13, 2026
  • August 10, 2026
  • August 24, 2026 (Special Meeting)
  • September 14, 2026
  • October 12, 2026
  • November 9, 2026
  • December 14, 2026
  • January 11, 2027
  • February 8, 2027
  • March 8, 2027
  • April 12, 2027
  • May 10, 2027
  • June 14, 2027
  • July 14, 2027
  • August 9, 2027

 

Important Information

Individuals must sign up in advance of the Board meeting by email to: rachel.thompson@ruskisd.net or in person 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

Meet the Board Members

  • A woman with blonde hair smiles at the camera, wearing a black blazer over a red top.

    Member Since:  May 2025

    Elected:  May 2025

    Term Expires:  May 2028

    Contact:  jami.hicks@ruskisd.net

    Jami Hicks is a lifelong member of the Rusk community. She and her husband are both proud graduates of Rusk ISD, and their two children currently attend Rusk ISD. Jami earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Tyler and her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University. She has served as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for the past 10 years and is dedicated to caring for children and supporting families throughout the community.

    Outside of her professional and board responsibilities, Jami enjoys being involved in church activities, spending time at home with her family, working out, and playing pickleball.

    Jami is committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment. She considers it a privilege to serve the district that has played such an important role in her family's life and is dedicated to helping Rusk ISD continue to grow and succeed for generations to come.

  • A man with short blonde hair and a beard smiles at the camera, wearing a black suit jacket over a plaid shirt.

    Member Since:  May 2025

    Elected:  May 2025

    Term Expires:  May 2028

    Contact:  chris.work@ruskisd.net

  • Female Board member smiling at camera dressed in gray and black

    Member Since:  May 2023

    Elected:  May 2023

    Term Expires:  May 2029

    Contact:  tara.hoot@ruskisd.net

    Tara is a proud wife of 17 years and the mother of two wonderful boys. For the past six years, she has worked as a Loan Assistant at Austin Bank, where she enjoys serving and helping others. She is passionate about being active in her community and currently serves on the RYSA Board, supporting local youth. Her faith is an important part of her life, and her husband and her faithfully serve at Oakland Missionary Baptist Church, where her husband is the pastor. 

  • A woman with blonde hair and red-rimmed glasses smiles at the camera.

    Member Since:  May 2018

    Elected:  May 2024

    Term Expires:  May 2027

    Contact:  montie.sunday@ruskisd.net

    Dr. Montie Sunday is a lifelong educator, curriculum leader, and proud East Texan with more than 35 years of experience in education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with double minors in Speech Communication and Deaf Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, followed by a Master of Arts with concentrations in English and Education, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Throughout her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, dual-credit instructor, curriculum coordinator, and educational leader dedicated to improving literacy and student achievement. Her work is guided by the belief that strong readers and writers are developed through intentional curriculum alignment, sustained reading and writing practice, and the enduring value of handwritten composition as the foundation for critical thinking and authentic communication. A devoted family woman, Dr. Sunday treasures time with her husband of 49 years, her children, grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter, whose encouragement continues to inspire both her educational work and her aspiration to write. Since 2018, she has also served her community as a member of the local school board, helping guide district policy, promote fiscal responsibility, and advocating for educational excellence and opportunities for every student. Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or the community, Dr. Sunday has devoted her life to empowering others through education, servant leadership, and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.

  • A man with a beard and a warm smile wears a blue suit, pink shirt, and striped tie.

    Member Since:  May 2010-13, May 2016

    Elected:  May 2025

    Term Expires:  May 2028

    Contact:  tracy.session@ruskisd.net

  • A man with a beard wearing a suit and tie smiles at the camera.

    Member Since:  May 2020

    Elected:  May 2024

    Term Expires:  May 2027

    Contact:  nathan.acker@ruskisd.net

    Nathan Acker has been married to his wife, Niki Loden Acker, for 28 years. Niki is a graduate of Rusk High School and has been a teacher with Rusk ISD for more than 20 years. Together, they have three sons—Noah, Nicholas, and Nash—all of whom attended and graduated from Rusk ISD. They are also the proud grandparents of their two-year-old grandson, Kohen.

    Nathan has proudly served on the Rusk ISD Board of Trustees since May 2020. He is committed to supporting academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and a safe learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

    Nathan has dedicated more than 28 years to serving the citizens of Cherokee County through a career in law enforcement. He currently serves as the Captain over the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

    When he is not working or serving on the Board of Trustees, Nathan enjoys spending time with his family, enjoying sports, and working in his yard.

     

  • A man with a beard and a light-colored patterned shirt smiles at the camera.

    Member Since:  May 2026

    Elected:  May 2026

    Term Expires:  May 2029

    Contact:  jacob.newman@ruskisd.net

    Jacob Newman serves as Vice President of Agribusiness Lending at Texas Farm Credit, where he has worked for 13 years helping farmers, ranchers, and rural business owners across East Texas. He and his wife Heidi Newman, who serves as the school psychologist, are proud parents of four children: Ty, 15; Tenley, 13; Tripp, 10; and Gracie, 9. Jacob recently joined the school board at Rusk ISD in 2026. 

    Jacob enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, working dogs, and making memories with his family. He brings a strong appreciation for agriculture, rural communities, and family values to his role with the Rusk school community.

Election Information