The Whitney Independent School District Board of Trustees met in regular session Monday, March 10, and voted to support the city and county’s proposal to extend the current school zone to include HCR 1240.
The City of Whitney has partnered with the county to improve the road, which provides access to Whitney middle and high school campuses.
Additionally, the Whitney City Council passed a resolution in October to rename the road to Wildcat Drive. A resolution renaming the road was passed in 2008, but never implemented.
City Operations Director Billy Pribble told the board that the city has been working with Commissioner Jim Holcomb on reducing the speed on the road.
Pribble said that in order to move forward with the establishment of a school zone, the school board must first vote to submit a request that the city hold a public hearing on the matter. The board unanimously voted to support the request, and work is ongoing to implement a school zone as well as the road’s renaming.
The city and county plan to post a speed limit of 35 miles-per-hour on the road, which will be reduced to 20 miles-per-hour during school hours. Hill County commissioners will hold a public hearing on the county’s portion of the road on Tuesday, April 8.
Assistant Superintendent Amy Leech presented the district’s 2023-24 annual report.
The required report compiles a wide range of information, including: the Texas Education Agency’s Texas Academic Performance Reports and Public Education Information Management System Financial Standard Report; accreditation status; campus performance objectives; behavioral incidents; the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board postsecondary performance report; and a report on district progress in meeting House Bill 3 goals.
The report is available to the public in full online at whitneyisd.org.
In observance of National Athletic Trainer Month, the National Association of Athletic Trainers has awarded Whitney middle and high schools the Safe Sports School Award. WHS Coach Andy Rankin spoke about the awards, reciting the requirements the association has set for a school to be eligible:
-Create a positive athletic health care administrative system;
-Provide or coordinate per-participation physical examinations;
-Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities;
-Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment;
-Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes;
-Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions;
-Provide or facilitate injury intervention;
-Create and rehearse venue-specific emergency action plans;
-Provide or facilitate psycho-social consultation and nutritional counseling/education;
-Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities.
Whitney Mayor Janice Sanders spoke during public forum to express gratitude and support for the school board. “I wanted to take a moment to personally thank each of you for your dedication, not just to your school, but to your community and your city,” she said.
Sanders continued: “Your service does not go unnoticed – it is appreciated. The City of Whitney stands with you in your decisions, your duties and your unwavering spirit of service.”
Staff members of the month were as follows: elementary school teacher Delores Dollar; intermediate school assistant principal Steve Slaughter; middle school teacher Kristen Harris-McGill; and high school teacher and coach Alex Richters.
Students of the month were: elementary school student Everlee West; intermediate school student Madelyn Hollins; middle school student Addysen Girsh; and high school students Jonas Abrego and Stanley Means.
WISD student Charlie Coe was dubbed “superintendent for the day,” assisting with several of the superintendent’s duties and receiving a plaque.
Property bids were accepted for three lots, all in White Bluff, in the amounts of $20,059.13, $5,483.47 and $2,507.08.
The board approved a lease agreement with the City of Whitney for election equipment in the upcoming joint election set for Saturday, May 3, as well as a routine update to local board policy.
Superintendent Todd Southard gave his report. Enrollment stands at 1,438.
Resigning or retiring were: Jan Holt, Reba Dahr, Ronda Brewer, Brandon Kaag, Anna Kaag, Travis Mitchell, Corbin Schwalm, Falyn Russell and Andrea Hobbs.
New hires were: Michelle Adkins, Christian Cruz, Kristin Emery, Kelsey Martin and Karrie Saulter.
All current contracts presented for teachers, counselors, nurses and security guards at WISD were approved.
The next board meeting will be held Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m. in the WISD Administration Board Room, located at 305 South San Jacinto Street.
The Lakelander 