Mighty Writers students present program to Trustees
The FISD Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, May 8 at the FISD Administration Building will all members in attendance.
Beverly Ingram and Annette Frye presented their students that are participating in the Reading Recovery Program. The students read to their writing projects to the board. Ingram and Frye went on to explain that the program, Summer Reading program, Mighty Writers and summer school in August. Currently they are conducting the fourth club contest, which awards these young writers. The students are asked to write a fun story that contains the theme of “Writers play with words to make their stories fun!” The deadline for these stories is this Friday, May 12.
Friona Junior High School Principal Mark Sundre presented his last activities report before he retires at the end of the school year. He explained to the board how the Junior High will combine the English Language Arts to use one teacher to instruct both English and Reading to provide more continuity.
“This has been a great Spring! It has gone really well,” stated Sundre. “I’ve really enjoyed my nine years here. This is a comfortable town.”
FHS Principal Erika Montana stated that they are done with STAAR testing and that attendance for the testing was 100 percent. She went on to state that at the Senior Awards held Sunday, May 7 there were $60,000 in scholarships from the community. Each student that applied for a scholarship got one.
She went on to report that the FCCLA will be conducting a “Dude Be Nice” project and recognizing the FHS Cafeteria Staff this Friday. CASA will honor the senior class with a hot dog dinner at the City Park on Friday, May 2 from noon to 1 p.m.
Montana spoke with the board about the Ag Advisory Committee and their efforts to fill positions in the Ag Department at the High School. They look to fill the position by the end of this school year.
Primary Principal Ashley Smith updated the board on the security improvements that are being made at not only her building but also the portable buildings and the ECE building. She stated that the new cameras and locks have been installed and are connected to the computer in her office. The issue with the telephone system is being dealt with. Speakers have been installed to transmit outside the main building, cafeteria, and playgrounds.
FHS Athletic Director Jimmy Arias gave an update on his department and informed the board of upcoming camps for boys and girls basketball and volleyball. He stated at this point his staff is steady.
FISD Superintendent Dr. Pam Ray informed the board that enrollment is at 1,132 students
The board approved the consent agenda and to pay the April bills.
Montana addressed the board about amending Honor Graduate criteria. The board tabled the issue until a policy could be written.
The board addressed the One-to-One IPad Initiative for 2017-2018 and after a detailed debate decided to table the issue until a survey of teachers could be taken to determine the usage of IPads in the classroom in additional grade levels.
A 3.5 percent raise for custodial, maintenance, secretarial and paraprofessional staff was tabled at this time.
A contract with Lubbock Sports Medicine was discussed and approved for athletic training services to continue.
The board voted to retain the current board policy concerning hiring authority of certified teachers and to align board policy with procedures regarding operating procedures.
The trustees will meet May 15 at 7 a.m. to canvas the ballots of the recent election and consider bids.
The next regular meeting of the board will be Monday, June 12, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the administration building. Meetings are open to the public.
