Jennifer Raney

The meeting included recognitions of the Teachers of the Year, student achievements in FCCLA, and athletic qualifiers. The Board canvassed and certified election results from the recent general election and conducted the swearing-in of newly elected Trustees. Key agenda items involved a discussion regarding the enforcement of trustee residency verification, which was tabled for a future meeting to allow for legal counsel involvement. The Board also conducted a reorganization session, voting to appoint new leadership positions including President, Vice President, and Secretary.

The meeting included a public forum where speakers commended the Superintendent's leadership. The Business Office Manager presented the district's financial status and funding projections for the 2026-2027 budget year. The Board approved the consent agenda, including various memorandums of understanding, risk management renewals, and policy updates. Action items addressed and approved included the appointment of an external auditor and the authorization of maintenance tax notes for facility improvements. The Board also discussed and voted on parent grievances, resulting in the denial of one and the granting of another, and held a closed session to consult with legal counsel. Additionally, the Board received a preliminary report on STAAR test results and discussed Board travel budget policies.

This plan outlines Wharton ISD's strategy to ensure all core subject teachers are fully certified by the 2029-2030 school year, in compliance with House Bill 2. It details a multi-year transition process, including identifying uncertified teachers, partnering with Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs), and establishing phased goals for certification support. Key phases involve assigning mentors, reviewing individual teacher needs, engaging EPP providers, and providing ongoing support for certification testing.

The meeting initiated the new School Library Advisory Council (SLAC) in response to Senate Bill 13 (SB13). The SLAC's responsibilities, including reviewing material purchases, donations, and challenged resources, were outlined. A procurement process overview detailed criteria for material selection, emphasizing age appropriateness, cultural sensitivity, and community need, followed by a mandatory 30-day public review period. Action items included the selection of Shannon Sharpe as Chairperson and Dayna Zahradnik as Vice Chair, and the unanimous passing of a motion to accept proposed lists for public view. Clarifications were provided regarding voting membership status (parents are voting members) and the process for handling material challenges and donations.

The School Library Advisory Council meeting involved discussions regarding the proposed book lists. A query was raised about book arrangement in the WES library, confirming the use of the Dewey system rather than grade-level arrangement. Concern regarding the 'Attack on Titan' series for High School was addressed as a request from students to complete the existing collection. Comparison against external watch lists like TakeBacktheClassroom.com and ChallengeBooks.com showed no conflicts with the proposed list. The selection process, favoring award lists and community requests, was explained. A discussion ensued regarding donations of funds or books, noting that monetary donations require consultation with Mrs. Hooper to ensure compliance with board policy. The Council also reviewed its responsibilities concerning library materials, purchase requests, donations, and challenged materials, providing recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The proposed lists were accepted for presentation to the Board.