Clarendon ISD waives 15 percent rule

By Ashlee Estlack

Clarendon CISD Trustees approved a resolution to continue suspension of requirements of end-of-course exams and extended the contract of Superintendent Monty Hysinger during their regular meeting on January 22.

High School Principal Larry Jeffers told the board that the state’s new end of course exams are “very dynamic” and said they are “probably changing right now.”

State officials have approved school districts to waive the 15 percent rule again this year, but Jeffers said this exception will likely go away after this year. There is also some discussion at the state level about adding a test that resembles the ACT or SAT to count as end of course exams.

The board approved a resolution to waive the 15 percent rule, as recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards.

Later in the evening, the board met behind closed doors for more than hour to review Hysinger’s evaluation. Upon returning to open session, trustees unanimously approved the superintendent’s salary and benefit package and extended his contract through the 2017-2018 school year.

In other school district business, Hysinger said CCISD had adopted new software, Path For Learning, to streamline campus improvement plans, and the board listened as each campus principal presented their Campus Improvement Plan.

Jeffers explained the goals of the high school and said his campus conducts a comprehensive needs assessment each year. Most of the time is concentrated on student achievement on end of course exams and TAKS scores, he said. The school also concentrated on lessons on anti-bullying, cyberbullying, and sexting. Jeffers said his campus goal is to prepare students for whatever path they choose after school, preferably college but not every student will go to college.

Junior High Principal John Taylor said his campus focuses on “Leadership in Excellence” and said the junior high needs more training on new technology and more parent involvement. In addition to testing goals, CJH has goals to improve attendance and to be a 100 percent “bullying-free” campus.

Elementary Principal Mike Word discussed his campus’ use of technology and its record of mastery levels on state exams. The elementary school is focused on fluency this year. Word also said his campus needs more parent involvement but said he appreciates the high level of involvement from college students volunteering there.

The board also voted to approve the school calendar for 2013-2014 as submitted by the District Improvement Committee, accepted a bid from Dell for $26,695.27 for server infrastructure upgrades as presented (replacing some servers that were more than 10 years old), and approved a bid from the Short Brother Family, LLC on tax delinquent property in Howardwick.

In administrative reports, Counselor Ken Baxter said there has been a lot of interest in the PEAK Scholarship program as financial aid funds are becoming less available and said Clarendon College provides a real opportunity for local students.

Hysinger reported that the February board meeting will be a “critical one” for the district as trustees discuss possible salary freezes in the 2013-2014 budget and also consider whether to pursue a tax ratification election to raise property taxes. That meeting will be held February 14.

Other administrative reports were presented by Word, Taylor, Jeffers, and Athletic Director Gary Jack.

Prior to the regular meeting, the board met in a special session the same evening at the CHS Family & Consumer Science classroom for a board appreciation dinner, which was presented by the following individuals: Jensen Hatley, MaRae Hall, Sandrea Smith, Lydia Howard, McKayla King, Savannah Topper, Camra Smith, McKayla Cartwright, Jacy Hill, Debra Howard, Sarah Bryant, Steve Reynolds, and Missy Reynolds.

Mrs. Reynolds and students in her FACS class served the board members and administrative personnel a meal in honor of Board Appreciation Month.