All valedictorians from Chisum Independent School District’s middle and high school classes were honored Monday during the district’s regular school board meeting.
“This has turned into an annual tradition that we love to do here at Chisum ISD,” said Superintendent Tommy Challer at the high school’s performing arts center. “One of the favorite things that these guys, our board, like to do is recognize the hard work, dedication and time that these waltzes and waltzes put into their sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grades. »
Schaller introduced board president Travis Ball and board vice president Rashiel Floyd, who presented certificates to the 14 students while their principal read a brief biography of each student.
“You’re going to hear a lot about these next two ladies at graduation on Friday,” Chisum High School Principal Clint Miller said of Serena Whatley, valedictorian, and Peyton Holland, valedictorian. “If you get a chance to support these ladies, they have some wonderful speeches.”
After a short break to allow students to exit, the board reconvened to re-elect the trustees voted in during the May 6 election and to discuss board meeting dates and times before moving on to discuss the upcoming budget for the next fiscal year. year
“We’re starting to work on it,” Schaller said. “As we always do, we invite you guys to come and sit down and consider any budget items that you would like to discuss during this budget process.”
Schaller said the budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 will be adopted during the last meeting on Thursday in August.
While construction on the new parking lot will still be underway during graduation ceremonies Thursday and Friday, Schaller told the board in his superintendent’s report that a security vestibule has been installed near the main entrance to Chisum High School.
Trustees approved a $32,730 budget amendment to purchase new computer equipment for employees, including the district’s special education staff.
Trustees approved a second budget amendment of $3,500 to purchase a new air conditioner for the district’s field house.
Money for both amendments will be taken from the balance of the district fund.
The board approved the district’s Safe Return to Learning Policy Guidelines, which detail Chisum ISD’s plan to provide personalized learning and continuity of services for the coming school year.
Challer said his only recommendation was to allow visitors on campus, other than making masks optional for sick students, staff and visitors.
“We ask our guests, our children and our staff to self-monitor,” Schaller told the board, adding that the district is offering remote conferencing for those diagnosed with Covid-19.
Nutrition Director Penny Kelly confirmed that every student in the district will receive free meals during the 2023-2024 school year.
“Starting this year, we expect breakfast participation to be 25% and lunch participation to be around 16% because participation has dropped significantly,” she said.
At the request of the district’s three registered nurses, trustees adopted a policy to make available the overdose drug naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, in the event of an opioid overdose.
Before recess, trustees approved the hiring of middle school teacher James Carey, middle school teacher Jennifer Hudson, elementary school teacher Kathy Hill, elementary school teacher Ruth Rainey, elementary school teacher Tiffany Crawford and middle school teacher Hayden Todd, and the resignation of elementary school teacher Cheryl Townsdeen, middle school teacher Kathy Cook, middle school teacher Mike Moffitt, middle school teacher Cynthia Tisdell and Kimmy McCool.
