Wharton Independent School District

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.

The Wharton ISD District Improvement Plan outlines a roadmap for preparing students for a competitive future by focusing on three main goals. It aims to increase student achievement across core academic areas and Career and Technology Education through aligned instruction, targeted resources for diverse student populations, and effective use of technology. The plan also prioritizes recruiting, developing, and retaining a highly motivated and certified staff through support, competitive compensation, and positive incentives. Furthermore, it seeks to ensure positive learning environments by maintaining safe and attractive facilities, fostering student engagement, promoting compliance, enhancing safety measures, and actively involving parents and the community, while also supporting students' social-emotional well-being and preventing violence.

This Campus Improvement Plan for Wharton High School outlines strategic goals for the 2025-2026 academic year. Key focus areas include improving student academic achievement, fostering a positive and inclusive school culture, enhancing campus safety and security, and improving staff recruitment, retention, and support. The plan is informed by a comprehensive needs assessment covering demographics, student achievement, school culture and climate, staff quality, curriculum, family and community involvement, school context, and technology, aiming to address identified weaknesses and leverage strengths for overall campus improvement.