Reporter: Ellie Mahan
September 21. 2023
The Whitney ISD (WISD) Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting Monday, September 11 to discuss STAAR and end-of-course test results, hear a food management presentation and take action on other agenda items.
Amy Leech, assistant superintendent, presented the 2023 STAAR and end-of-course (EOC) results for each grade level and subject. She provided comparisons between the state, the region and the district’s test results. She listed subjects in which WISD students did better or worse than other students in the region or state. She reported the re-testing statistics, noting that students will have more opportunities to re-test in the future.
Following the presentation of the data was a discussion on potential methods of improving the scores and possible causes of the low points in the results. The assistant superintendent, principals and board members contributed to the discussion. Lack of readiness when students started the school year, large class sizes for early age groups, and 2023 being the first year that the students took a redesigned, online-only test were all challenges mentioned when considering factors that contributed to the low points in the data.
Whitney Elementary School Principal Amber Seely said that to help third graders feel more prepared for the writing portion of the test, typing is being added to second grade’s special class rotation (which also includes art and music).
Whitney Intermediate School Principal Layna Philipp added, “There are some variables here that we have zero control over.” She pointed out that with writing specifically, students’ grades depend on the professional opinion of graders, which can lead to subjective grading. When reviewing STAAR tests, teachers may read a student’s written response as relevant and directly related to the prompt, while STAAR graders gave them no credit because they viewed the response as off-topic.
Leech said that there are plans for representatives of Region 12 to visit Whitney to coach teachers who do not have a lot of teaching experience.
The annual district accountability ratings that were scheduled to be released September 28 were going to be based on adjusted criteria, including a new threshold for college, career and military readiness (CCMR) scores, raising the percentage from 60% to 88% to earn an A rating.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Tuesday, September 12 that the accountability ratings would be delayed for approximately one month. A TEA press release stated that the delay “will allow for a further re-examination of the baseline data used in the calculation of progress to ensure ratings reflect the most appropriate goals for students.”
The adjustments in the accountability ratings would have led multiple school districts, and potentially Whitney ISD, to receive a lower rating. Superintendent McCullough commented that the district ratings would evaluate the college, career and military readiness of students who have already graduated, so the district has no way of raising its CCMR to adjust with the new criteria.
TEA’s decision to delay the ratings was released after multiple school districts filed a lawsuit against the TEA. The opposing districts filed the lawsuit because they believed that the ratings would be difficult to compare to previous years and because the TEA failed to give adequate notice before the criteria changes were made.
Also on the agenda for the evening was for the board to take possible action on the approval of purchasing a new Suburban. Russell Gauer, director of operations, said the district’s Suburbans that are used for school events have high mileage, and replacement vehicles should be considered. He said that replacement Suburbans would cost between $50,000 and $60,000. After listing other transportation options available to the district, including buses and vans, and after discussing other possible transportation needs, the board voted to deny the purchase of a new Suburban.
The board considered a retention stipend for all WISD employees for a one-time payment of $500. Superintendent McCullough said that the money for the stipend would be funded from the $170,000 left from the Emergency and Secondary School Relief (ESSR) Fund.
Board Vice President Jason Sneed suggested changing the structure of the retention stipend to reward employees who have been in the district for longer with a higher stipend. He expressed that he appreciates the teachers who are new to the district and still wants them to receive a stipend. He suggested that to more accurately reflect the spirit of the retention stipend, the district should provide higher stipends to employees they have retained for multiple years.
Board Member Amy Hoffman responded, “It’s important to keep our teachers here rooted in the community.” Board Member Katie Foster made a motion to table the agenda item so that the board can discuss it further in future board meetings and see if they can offer more to those who have worked for the district longer. The board agreed unanimously on the decision.
The board approved a stipend for district Guardians, who are being utilized to fulfill the good cause exemption for armed personnel on each campus. It also approved an extra duty security stipend for security officers. After returning from closed session, the board approved two security officers: Chris Chadwick and Tim Oldfield.
Gauer summarized the safety and security audit. Every three years the Texas School Safety Center requires the district to perform a self-evaluative security audit. Gauer stated that his team analyzed WISD’s emergency operations plan, evacuation protocols and physical barriers.
After reviewing the safety measures with Superintendent McCullough, Gauer determined that the district was compliant with the required procedures, barriers and processes that are in place to keep students and staff safe. He noted that safety measures regarding drainage near the playground at the intermediate school will be improved.
Gauer thanked Bob Kruse, DAEP principal and Tonya Booth, PEIMS coordinator and WIS PEIMS clerk, for their assistance with the report.
Joan Thorne, a representative of Chartwells K-12, gave a food management presentation to the board. Thorne said that the purpose of involving a food management company is ensuring that Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) nutrition guidelines are met and providing additional resources including: training, more knowledge on audits and software for menu planning.
Thorne said, “If whatever company that comes in runs it effectively, there should be no extra cost to the district. It should only be the cost that comes out of your child nutrition budget. Whatever you have set aside today for that budget is what this program will be funded by.” Since Chartwells is one of the largest food service management companies in the world, it is able to buy food cheaper than the district can.
One goal for the company would be to maintain high participation in the food program, to help generate enough revenue for a self-funding program.
Thorne said that Chartwells has no intention of causing lunchroom workers in the district to lose their jobs or lose pay or hours. Thorne said, “We will also match their salaries, so whatever the district is paying them currently, that is exactly what we will pay those people. Sometimes companies will even propose to give those people a bump.”
Chartwells would conduct an analysis of the labor market and could provide a salary increase to lunchroom workers with district approval, in an effort to make the salaries of WISD food service workers competitive with the salaries of other food service workers in the market.
Thorne said that the agreement with Chartwells would be a one-year contract with four opportunities for yearly renewals. If the district is interested in hiring a food management company it would involve paperwork and a bidding process with multiple potential companies.
Kimberly Hawhee, special education paraprofessional at Whitney Intermediate School, was selected as WISD’s staff member of the month.
In a nomination statement, Whitney Intermediate School Principal Layna Philipp wrote, “Mrs.Hawhee has done a tremendous job with our students and staff to create and develop positive relationships and support where needed to bring a positive attitude daily.”
She continued, “Kim has been asked to support the many needs of the campus in different ways this year and has stepped up to the task with a smile and infectious energy. She is the epitome of a team player, and we are so proud and thankful to have her serving our students of Whitney Intermediate School. Mrs.Hawhee has aspirations of being a teacher someday, and I believe she would be a great asset to our district in that capacity.”
The superintendent reported that district enrollment was at 1,493.
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