WISD Board of Trustees sets proposed tax rate
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Parsons Roofing continues its work on Wellington Elementary last week as the staff prepared for school to begin Aug. 17. (The Red River Sun/Bev Odom)
By Bev Odom/The Red River Sun—
WELLINGTON – During the Aug. 10 meeting of the trustees of the Wellington Independent School District, the board voted to set the proposed tax rate for 2020 at $.9664.
For more explanation, please see the WISD Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate in the Colossal Classified section of this issue of The Sun.
The board also voted to hold the public hearing on the 2020-2021 proposed budget and 2020 proposed tax rate of $.9664 on Friday, Aug. 28 at 12 noon in the superintendent’s office.
President Lynn Bartlett called the regular session to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present. Gene Pena offered the opening prayer. Others present were Brad Bawcom, Lance Kane, Cody Phillips and Alison Strickland. Board member Carly Ward was absent. School personnel present were Kurt Ashmore, Jermaine Cantu, Edward Beck, Deidre Kane, Greg Proffitt, Dian Souder and Kellye Conner.
The board voted unanimously to accept the Order of Election to set the Wellington ISD Trustee General Election for two three-year terms for Tuesday, Nov. 3 with early voting in the WISD Business Office from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13 through Friday, Oct. 30.
The board approved the minutes of the July 13 regular meeting.
Ashmore briefed the board on Update 115 to the Board Policy Manual. The board voted to add, revise or delete (LOCAL) policies as recommended by TASB Policy Service according to the Instruction Sheet for TASB Localized Policy Manual Update 115.
In unanimous votes, the board approved the Synchronous Attestation to be included in the Asynchronous Plan when submitted to TEA for approval, and to approve Travel
Reimbursement Rates for 2020-2021 as presented.
The Employee Handbook, Student Handbook, Athletic Handbook and Student Code of Conduct were reviewed.
“It was great to have everyone back today,” stated Ashmore in his superintendent report.
He conducted separate meetings at each campus throughout the day for smaller groups to ensure social distancing.
The First Baptist Church family provided breakfast at each of the three campuses that morning and the First United Methodist Church family provided each employee a $10 gift certificate to a local restaurant.
“We appreciate both of these churches and all that they do for us in the district,” Ashmore said.
The WISD school reopening plan for 2020-2021 was discussed and can be found on the website. The UIL update for sports was also discussed.
“We have taken possession of the new Ford van,” Ashmore added. “Anna Vela has turned in her resignation, so we will be looking to fill that position in the cafeteria. We hired Larry Haddock to take the custodial position in the elementary. The roofers are currently working on the elementary roof. Upon completion, they will begin on the high school building and the high school gymnasium.”
Campus principals reported that everyone is excited to get back with a great kick-off to the school year.
On Aug. 12, staff participated in Google Summit virtual training. Cantu noted the response to online registration thus far. Thirty-four students took part in Jump Start in elementary which concluded last week.
On Aug. 11, elementary teachers participated in Stem Scope training in Math and Science and will then be vertically aligned from kindergarten through fifth grade.
High school teachers will spend some time training elementary teachers Aug. 11 in Google applications.
Beck discussed Virtual Jump Start training by Region 16 being presented on Aug. 13.
In his AD Report, Coach Proffitt noted that as of last Aug. 3, football officially began with 35 boys participating. The first scrimmage is at home Aug. 21 against West Texas High.
“The boys have been spending time getting in shape for a great season,” Proffitt said. “The basketball and cross country girls have been running and spending time in the weight room focusing on strength and conditioning. Coaches are setting an example and encouraging the students by wearing masks and respecting the social distancing rules.”
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
