The Feb. 10 WISD school board meeting provided plenty to celebrate.
Director of Curriculum for WISD, Shelley Reeves conducted a public hearing on the district’s recent Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).
This annual statewide report gathers a range of information on student performance in each school/district in Texas. The report, which reflects details from the 2023-2024 school year, provides detailed information about school and district staff, programs and student demographics as well as STAAR test results and graduation rates.
Whitesboro scored a “B” rating with several academic successes in comparison with the state average. WISD is above the state average in most subjects, with many above average in 8th grade math and Algebra I and seven out of eight grade levels above the state average in reading.
The district has 22% of its students enrolled in special education classes, and 11% of its students are ESL (English as a second language).
In attendance, WISD is 7% above the state average with a 97% graduation rate.
“WISD has something to celebrate,” Reeves said. “These results are obvious indicators of teachers, administrators, coaches and departments working together to meet the needs of the whole child.”
Superintendent Ryan Harper introduced staff recognitions. For the High School, Anita Morales was named Teacher of the Month while Haylee Wilson was named Employee of the Month. For the Middle School, Heather Holle was named Teacher of the Month while Yvette Barrio was named Employee of the Month. For Whitesboro Intermediate School, Sonya Worley was named Teacher of the Month while Maria Flores was named Employee of the Month. For Hayes Primary School, Melissa Harris was named Teacher of the Month while Tanner Tolleson was named Employee of the Month.
All of these staff members received a Whitesboro umbrella as a gift of thanks for their hard work.
Next, the school board was tasked with voting on several agenda items. Per Robert’s Rules of Order, as board president, Jeff Patterson does not cast a vote unless in the event of a tie.
The board first approved the trustee election for May 3, 2025 to be held at City Hall in downtown Whitesboro (shared with Grayson County).
The board also approved to renew the WISD District of Innovation Plan. In 2020, the district adopted an amendment that would last for five years. It’s simply time to renew it, and it will go into effect in April for another five years.
The plan includes three major topics: school start date, contractual days (now around 179) and the ability for educators to teach subjects outside their certification.
Next on the agenda was the adoption of the 2025-2026 district calendar.
“At this time, WISD is not looking at a four-day school week,” WISD Superintendent Ryan Harper said. “We currently have a sort of hybrid schedule, as once a month the district is off on a Monday.”
Harper also explained there were two options for the school calendar that had different time off for spring break. The proposed preference was option A, in which spring break aligns with that of Grayson County College.
The board voted to approve the calendar.
The board shifted its focus to the school bond projects, with a discussion about Gallagher Construction contracts. The board adopted a resolution to sign the contracts and get clean versions with district improvements. Final numbers and budget are expected to be presented (and possibly approved) at the April 14 board meeting.
Next, Josh Lincoln, a civil engineer with Lincoln Engineers who is working with the district on the school bond projects, gave an update on progress.
“The first set of plans have been submitted this week,” Lincoln said. He also explained that the annexation of 50 acres of land is going well with the city. The land he was referencing is 50 acres across from the middle school, which had not previously been in the city limits. Details are still pending, so the next agenda item (a deeper discussion about the annexation) was put on hold until next month’s meeting.
The board approved contract renewals and extensions for various campus and district administrators as recommended by the Superintendent.
Lastly, administrators gave updates on what’s happening on campus. The WISD Police Department is holding an alert training March 11-12. The training will include officers from Cooke County, Collinsville, CISD, Sherman ISD, Gunter, Southmayd and Tioga.
At the high school, athletics, fine arts and One Act Play are keeping the students busy. Seniors took the TSIA (Texas Success Initiative Assessment) and 25 passed English/language arts/reading.
The middle school UIL academics students placed 2nd, and the school has been taking the practice TMSCA test. Principal Shannon Scoggins gave a public thanks to First United Methodist Church of Whitesboro for the donation of hundreds of dollars’ worth of Sonic gift cards to be used for student rewards.
Whitesboro Intermediate School held a UIL medal presentation on Monday and are working on the interim STAAR test.
At Hayes Primary School, they also presented UIL medals and celebrated the 100th day of school with Kindergarteners parading through the school with decorated t-shirts and 2nd graders dressing like senior citizens. At the end of February, a dentist’s office will give a “tooth talk” presentation to students. The school has also implemented a perfect attendance positive reward for students who haven’t missed school.
No action was taken after Executive Session and the meeting was adjourned.
Source: Freepik.com