WISD celebrates achievements
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

The meeting of the board of trustees for the Whitehouse ISD began with open forum. Patrick Moran addressed the group to introduce himself and to announce that he has filed for Place 1 on the board for the May 10 election.

Curtis Williams, principal of Holloway Middle School, shared several pieces of good news about students on his campus.

First was a moment of congratulations to Holloway's Student Council for their hard work and dedication to the Salvation Army Angel Tree project. In 2006 the group chose the project and collected $1200 to buy for eight angels. In 2007, they set a goal of $1500 and 10 angels. However, their final total came to $2500 collected and bought every item that 12 angels had wished for.

Congratulations also went out to sixth grade students who entered the TJC Science Fair last week. Finishing first in the sixth grade category and placing second overall in the physical science division was Jeffrey Yeager. In the biological division Jack Terrell placed first with Logan Green and Peyton Conser coming in second and third. Terrell took second overall and Green took third overall.

Consent items were all approved including donations of $350 by the WHS Academic Booster Club and $100 by Southwest Education Development Corporation.

The board approved the purchase of two 77-passenger school buses from Longhorn Bus Sales. The choice of purchasing the International busses rather than Bluebird was based mostly on the convenience of warranty work being available locally if it is needed.

A board resolution was also passed to become a member of the local government purchasing cooperative. This is at no cost to the district and provides a broader base for purchasing.

New math textbooks for grades K-5 were also approved.

Following executive session the board approved renewal of contracts for professional employees throughout the district and approved changes and additions to some campus employees. Wendy Lindsey will have a change of assignment to become librarian at Higgins. Lindy Jeter will become a full-time teacher at Higgins. Michele Cole will be full-time at Holloway and Ronald Martin was approved as a teacher and coach at the junior high once he is released from his present school in another district.