Willis Independent School District

The board meeting included recognitions of students of the month and assistant principals. Public comments addressed the need for greater support for special education athletic programs. Consent agenda items covered instructional materials, library book purchases, CTE course additions, district agreements, and facility projects including HVAC renovations, fire alarm systems, and parking lot expansion. Discussions focused on curriculum progress monitoring, class size reduction strategies, and data reporting. The board approved contracts for staff, a grant award for ECSE educators, the purchase of new high school instructional materials, and the determination that a new gymnasium qualifies as a school building. Additionally, the board authorized a one-time employee retention incentive, approved the sale of district real property, finalized a scoreboard project for the stadium, and completed a quarterly self-evaluation focusing on governance goals and meeting efficiency.

The board conducted a workshop to review and update district policies, including board operations, business services, personnel, and instruction. Key discussion topics included transitioning to standardized boilerplate language for cost efficiency, adjusting approval thresholds for purchasing and facilities, and revising student grading and GPA calculation policies. The meeting also included an initial budget workshop for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, focusing on the current year surplus, proposed employee retention payments, enrollment projections, staffing requirements for a new elementary school, and debt service comparisons with neighboring districts.

The meeting provided an overview of the Lone Star Governance framework and the district's student outcome goals in reading, math, and college, career, and military readiness. Attendees participated in a structured input session addressing student graduation pathways, district communication improvements, expansion of support for multiple student pathways, strategies for building community trust, and the integration of artificial intelligence in education. Following the discussion, follow-up items were established, including developing a student roadmap, evaluating the district website, creating a consistent AI policy, and expanding community engagement opportunities.

The committee reviewed topics from the School Health Index matrix, specifically addressing the creation of a Health FAQ page on the school district website, the development of a centralized resources page for families, and increasing the visibility of nutritional information in the cafeteria through rotating digital displays.

The meeting included student and staff recognitions for academic and extracurricular achievements. Progress monitoring updates were provided regarding the strategic plan, campus improvement plans, and student growth in reading. Discussion and action items included the approval of General Fund budget amendments for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and the approval of the guaranteed maximum price for the Yates Stadium scoreboard project. Additionally, the board reviewed financial reports, a delinquent tax collection report, and long-range planning updates, and conducted a closed session to discuss personnel matters and real estate.