SSISD Board of Trustees Approve Amended General Fund Budget; Hear Reports; Celebrate Individual School Success

Sulphur Springs Schools Board of Trustees approved an amended general fund budget, heard numerous reports, and celebrated the successes at Travis Elementary School Tuesday night during their February board meeting.

The school’s general fund budget will increase $1,706,604 bringing the general fund budget to $38,389,530. The increase in the general fund budget comes from three specific projects: a rebuild of Prim Stadium, $702,721; Improvements to Lady Cat Park, $256,320; and the new Wildcat baseball field $747,563. No other adjustments have been made to the budget other than line item changes.

Superintendent Michael Lamb reported to the board that the school’s Vision, Mission, and Values Statements have become a daily guide for the administration. He stated that the board helped forge the statement and is holding the administration accountable to the vision, mission, and values that have been set. The Vision Statement says that the school desires to become a school that is “Educating all students to their fullest potential.” He stated that “…fullest potential” is different for each student but the desire to assist students in becoming the best they can be in all areas of life is the motivation for all that is performed in the educational and extra-curricular process of the school.

He noted the Mission Statement: “Provide students with the skills that will prepare them to adapt and excel in a fast-changing world, enabling them to lead productive lives. The district shares with parents and the community the responsibility of promoting high standards and expectations as [the school] provides opportunities for all students within the diverse community to attain personal growth and to become lifelong learners.”

The Value Statements or goals for the district include four specific values:

  • Students will be encouraged and challenged to meet their full potential.
  • Students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug-free, and conducive to learning.
  • Students will be taught by highly qualified and exceptionally trained staff.
  • SSISD will encourage parent/guardian and community involvement in school activities.

Lamb and the board have set as Primary Initiatives:

  • At least 95% of all students reading on grade level when they attain the 3rd grade year.
  • At least 70% of all student groups will score at least “Approaches” on 2018 STAAR (all subjects), especially African-American, Economically Disadvantaged, and At-Risk.

Lamb and Assistant Josh Williams, who made a later report to the board, noted that the process of evaluating and affirming the values and initiative are in place throughout the system.

A video presentation by students from Travis Primary School informed the board regarding the audio visual skills being developed by students on the campus as they presented a video newsletter.

During the reports on each school (highlights noted here):

  • Douglas Intermediate (5th Grade) is sponsoring a Spelling Bee on three Fridays with 80 participants the first week, the top 30 the second week and the top 10 students the final week. STAAR Practice Test was given February 6-7. Eighty percent (80%) of students had a higher score on the 5th grade test than the 4th grade test.
  • SS Elementary UIL teams have been finalized Grades 2-4 will begin practicing together February 13th with the Elementary UIL meet at Pine Tree March 24. The book buddies program is growing with 60 book buddies and 100 students participating.
  • Bowie Primary had over 170 people attend Family Fun Night. Forty (40) students tried out for four different UIL teams. Science Classes are planning the building of raised gardens.
  • ECLC-K/T1 currently has 120 readers.

At Sulphur Springs Middle School:

  • Academic UIL placed 2nd overall in district.
  • Regional Science Fair had four students advance
  • UIL Solo and Ensemble saw 123 students receive First Division Medals
  • The robotics teams competed at TCEA Area and two teams will advance to state competition.

At Austin Academic Center:

  • In the REACH/SEARCH program that assists non-traditional high school students, one graduate will graduate this month and 18 more are anticipated to graduate before the end of the year.

High School:

  • Choir advanced 17 Solos and one Ensemble to State
  • ACT/SAT Boot Camp assisted 50 students in improving college entrance test scores.
  • Winter athletic programs are excelling.

Staff changes:

Retirements

*Tommy Panter                       Transportation Director                       Administration

*Lori Nix                                  Kindergarten Teacher                         ECLC

*Timothy Couch                      ELAR Teacher                        Middle School

*Susan Patterson                    Technology Assistant                          Middle School

Resignations

Meghan Alcorn                        Elem. Instr. Tech. Spec.                      Administration

Kevin Bailey                            Aide                                                     Connections

New Personnel

Allison Fincher            Math Teacher                                      Middle School

Tracie Penny                           SpEd Aide                                           Middle School

Victoria Smith                          SpEd Aide                                           Middle School

Personnel Change                New position/campus                       Former position/campus

Cristina Munoz                        Admin .Asst. for Child Nutrition/          Receptionist/SS Elementary

Administration

*Early retirement notification

Author: Staff Reporter

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