Whitesboro School Board Holds Monthly Meeting

The Whitesboro School Board met Monday night for their monthly meeting. After the regular business, the board elected new officers for the 2007-2008 year: Jim Thomas, President; Gregg Miles, Vice President; Gregg Hickman, Secretary; and David Bertino, Assistant Secretary.

The board then recognized several student groups, the middle school Battle of the Books winners, the state band solo and ensemble medalists, and state track participants.

Next, the new director of technology, Michael Peterson, updated the board on the technology department’s progress in improvements on the Whitesboro campuses as well as his plans and needs for the future. Peterson has installed 20 new computers, two new servers, and performed numerous other upgrades throughout the district.

Peterson went on to discuss the need for many different enhancements in the district’s network. He also expressed a need for some new software, which included upgrades to the Accelerated Reader and Math programs and Microsoft Office.

The board also heard a report from Vince Sharpe, director of intervention services. Sharpe said that as the intervention counselor he is seeing, on average, five students per day, which is far more than he expected. Sharpe proposed a new program called “Project Alert,” for use in the middle school and high school. The program is very affordable program and would spread out the lessons over two years to keep the drug and alcohol education on the minds of the students.

The next item on the agenda was a report on the Whitesboro ISD 2008 “Showcase.” Ray Lea, superintendent discussed a program that several board members went to see and was similar to what the board is planning for the spring of 2008. “It looks something like a science fair, but it will cover all subjects,” said Lea. The board expressed excitement about this program and is expecting a large community turnout in May when they have planned the program.

The following item on the agenda was a discussion about the 2007 Tax Election. The increased income from the election would makeup for lost income from the state’s new educational funding plan.

The board quickly finished with a few regular business items, which included approval and adoption of several different contracts. The board also approved several personnel decisions.