The Whitney Independent School District (WISD) Board of Trustees met in regular session Monday, August 12, and discussed the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Superintendent Todd Southard spoke regarding the preliminary budget: “One of the things that we’ve been talking about pretty much all summer is that things are not looking good as far as our budget for this coming year.” The superintendent said that there is a deficit of $649,975.
“Here’s the good news: Whitney ISD is still very solid financially,” he said. “We have a little over 7.8 million dollars in the bank; we can take the hit, we’re fine. We just don’t want to continue taking $650,000 hits.”
Southard also emphasized that efforts are being made to increase revenues and reduce expenses. “It’s not great – we’re not in trouble – we just can’t continue to take these kind of hits,” he explained.
WISD Business Manager Tamara Harrison echoed Southard’s sentiments and explained that a lack of state funding has been a major driver of the deficit for WISD as well as surrounding districts.
Director of State and Federal Programs for WISD Melissa Marbut presented a public notice of the district’s intent to apply for the 2024-25 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Federal Grant as is required in order to apply. If awarded, funds from the grant will be used for instructional salaries, instructional supplies and materials, professional development and contracted services.
The board retroactively approved an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) enhancement for all 2024-25 district employees in the amount of a $500 one-time payment. The payment had been awarded to employees Monday, August 5.
The board approved a bid for property in White Bluff in the amount of $2,603.27. The board also approved the Whitney High School German Club to stay overnight in Tulsa, Oklahoma Saturday, October 19, to perform at the Linde Oktoberfest celebration.
The board approved an innovative General Employability Skills Career and Technical Education (CTE) course for Whitney Middle School. The course, which is being taken by 80 to 90 students, is projected to bring roughly $100,000 in additional funding to the district.
The Hill County 4-H Club was approved as an extracurricular for the 2024-25 school year. Also approved was the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) Memorandum of Understanding. No significant changes had been made to the memorandum.
The board approved a dual credit agreement with Hill College. This year, the college has elected to participate in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, which will qualify economically disadvantaged students for free tuition. For students who are not eligible for FAST, all fees have been waived and the district will be charged at a rate of $55 per credit hour taken.
Previously, the district was charged a flat rate of $377 per student regardless of the amount of credit hours taken.
Beginning in the spring, the district will only cover three hours of dual credit for freshmen, six hours for sophomores and juniors and nine for seniors. If students elect to take more hours, they must cover the additional cost.
The board updated the local academic achievement class ranking policy. Beginning with the Class of 2028, the district has modified its policy to give 10-point weighting only to certain courses that apply toward the foundation graduation plan.
The dual-credit handbook also states that the district will cover textbook costs for any student entering a certification program, such as cosmetology, and students would need to pay for their kit.
The board also approved the district’s Texas Association of School Boards property, auto, worker’s compensation and unemployment compensation coverage. The total cost of the coverage has increased by nearly $52,000 since last year.
Also approved was the WISD Student Code of Conduct Handbook for the 2024-25 school year; no significant changes were made.
The board renewed the district’s contract with Region 12, which provides multiple services.
New meal prices were also approved. Breakfast plates were set at $2.75 at all campuses; lunch plates were set at $3.25 for the intermediate and elementary schools, and $3.50 for the high school. Students who receive reduced meals will not be charged for breakfast plates, and lunch plates have been set at 40 cents.
The board took action to increase employer contribution for insurance premiums to $400 monthly.
A retainer fee was approved for legal protection of the district by Eichelbaum, Wardell, Hansen, Powell & Munoz P.C.
Superintendent Todd Southard gave his report: resigning or retiring were Amy Metcalf, Kristy Smith, Erica Morris, Katherine Brown, Amy Fox, Kara Pearson, Sara Massey, Tonya Ringo, Amber Fuchs, Josh Lessman and Dawnanita James.
New hires are Holly Beims, Ronda Brewer, Reba Dahr, Abbigail Melton, Lauren Gonzales, Ian Muller, Corbin Schwalm, Michaela Driver, Amanda Rankin, Kevin Fisher, Falyn Russell, Heath Yeager, Danial Turner, Joe Martinez and Jackson Roten.
Whitney ISD enrollment stands at 1,426.
The next meeting will be held in the WISD Administration Board Room at 6 p.m. Monday, September 9.
The Lakelander 