WISD SCHOOL BOARD
Preliminary campus plan OK'd

In a lengthy session Monday night, the Whitehouse ISD school board approved preliminary design plans for a new elementary school, ordered an election for May 12 and extended the contract of Supt. Dennis Miller.

Trustees gave their approval to an estimated 83,000 sq. ft. facility that would sit northwest of the current junior high campus and cost approximately $15 million. Voters narrowly approved the funds in November's bond election.

The proposed design of the new facility features a one-story main pod that would house administration, cafeteria, gymnasium and media center; a connecting 18' wide hallway adjoins this section with the academic wing.

In order to limit dirt work, and keep costs down, presenter Kent Harris said the preliminary construction plans adhere as much as possible to the natural slope of the land site. Traffic from the main building will flow through the connective hallway and then continue up or down to the desired classroom. The lower level would house Pre-K through second grade, with third through fifth on the second level.

Trustees questioned Harris about future upgrades, access roads and run off from the site to businesses on Hwy. 110.

Harris said the target date for bids on the project would be early June. The expected occupancy date would be July 2008.

Designers received input from central administration, campus principals and teachers in developing plans for the facility. Supt. Miller thanked the principals and their staff for the time and effort they gave to the project. "We wouldn't be where we are without their input," he said.

The board also ordered a trustee election on May 12 for places 6 and 7, currently held by Kevin Cashion and Vince Primo. In related issues, the board approved an interlocal election services agreement with Smith County and a joint election agreement for shared polling location with the City of Whitehouse.

Under the agreements, early voting and Election Day voting for both the city and school will be held at the Whitehouse First United Methodist Church. This will be the only voting site.

Following an executive session, trustees approved extending Supt. Miller's contract for 12 months. The board approved the extension with a change in wording to his contract that will delay any salary changes until budget time.

Other administrative contracts extended were: Daniel DuPree, Betty Lough, Sherrie Lloyd, Doris Pitts, Richard Peacock, Tony Black and Randy McFarlin, all 12 months; David Smith, Curtis Williams, Thomas Luce, Sherri Randall, Cyndi Josephson, Patricia Richard, Michael McMullen, Melanie Gimble, Joseph Williford, Joseph Stone, Travis Splinter, Valencia Ray and Cynthia Wingate, all 11 months.

Trustees also approved Laura Scroggins, Kindergarten, Cain Elementary, and Melissa Glasscock, par t-time AMI teacher, Higgins Intermediate, and accepted the resignation of Claire Page, Kindergarten teacher.

Board members also discussed and approved the 2007- 08 school calendar; trustee Primo voted against the calendar, objecting to the spring break dates of March 17-21 not being consistent with those of Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler. His concern was that dual enrollment students would still be attending college classes and not getting a true break.

Due to state mandates, classes are starting later this year, and the district planning committee worked to balance both semesters and still finish school before June. The rationale for scheduling spring break March 17-21 was to take advantage of Good Friday.

Trustees also:

- heard analysis of the district's Academic Excellence Indicator System Report (2005- 06) and Adequate Yearly Progress Report (2006);

- approved the purchase of three buses at the cost of $68,833 each;

- approved new math textbooks for grades 6-12;

- approved application for additional state waivers for staff development and early release days;

- heard a report by Richard Peacock on the district's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.