The Whitney Independent School District Board of Trustees met in regular session Monday, May 4.
Amy Teal spoke in open forum, where she encouraged increased voter participation in future elections and expressed concerns regarding what she said was a hasty recommendation to terminate Intermediate School Assistant Principal Dr. Steven Slaughter, following an incident last month in which Slaughter intervened in a physical altercation between students.
Elementary school teacher Alyssa Mitchell also spoke, encouraging the district to offer behavioral intervention training to all staff in light of recent events.
Cheryl Taylor-West, in observance of National Drinking Water Week, recognized the winners of the City of Whitney’s recent “Water is Life” art contest. The winners were Whitney High School students Aiden Cowan, Ariana Romo and Carter Scott.
Students of the month were as follows: elementary school student Reyna Prado, intermediate school student Sienna Franklin, middle school student Taylor Ray and high school student Katie Kladifko.
Staff members of the month were: elementary school teacher Frank Morris, intermediate school teacher Meghan Elder, middle school librarian Marylin Ibarra, high school employee Linda Pack-Wilson and transportation employee Jay Franklin.
In regular business, the board approved the purchase of over three acres of land near district facilities on North Brazos Street. Trustees also approved a budget amendment to account for recent grant funds and insurance repairs. Also approved was a resolution of intent to reimburse costs for various projects within the district.
The board approved the hiring of new personnel and granted Superintendent Todd Southard authority to approve new teacher contracts during the summer months.
Enrollment stands at 1,403. It was announced that Esparanza Sandoval will leave the district as the board reviewed resignations and retirements.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, June 8, at 6 p.m. in the Whitney ISD Administration Board Room.
The Lakelander 