School trustees meet remotely for second time
In their second teleconference meeting since the recent school closure, Iowa Park CISD trustees on Thursday dealt with a number of topics, including an update on school plalns regarding COVID-19, bond construction and facilities update, updated calendar plans for graduation and prom, and contract renewals and resignations.
CURRENT SCHOOL PLANS
Superintendent Steve Moody told trustees “Per the governor’s order, we are officially out until May 4. From everything we are hearing, that could extend possibly through the school year. That decision will probably be made in late April.”
Moody added that all school campuses are closed to the public, including athletic facilities and playground equipment.
“For those that are doing instructional packets, we are mailing them to help on the safety side,” he said of the current at-home remote learning.
Moody said the school is still handing out meals, with employees wearing masks and gloves, and taking all precautions.
Moody added that food deliveries are also being made to the south towards Kamay, and to the east towards Wichita Falls.
“We are averaging 400 meal pickups each day. That is still running strong.”
On the instructional side, Curriculum and Instructional Technology Coordinator Jodi Schlaud remarked “I think everyone is on the right track. Teachers are calling students daily. Teachers are doing a really good job of making sure the kids have what they need.”
CONSTRUCTION
Ross Rivers of BLK Architects discussed the ongoing school bond construction project (high school and two elementaries), saying that in the past weeks office staff have been working from home, and that with construction considered an essential business during the stay-at-home period in Texas, they have been conducting their construction meetings both at home and on site.
“We are still on our main schedule,” he said. “We still anticipate staying on that schedule, unless materials or delivery changes.”
Asked if they are getting local bids on the projects, Mike Freeman from Steele-Freeman said “A majority of the bidders are local.
“Our office is open. As long as estimating goes, that has been difficult. Most estimators are working from home.”
He said they are planning to meet with Moody and his staff next Thursday to discuss ongoing bids/construction.
“Some bids we are getting are ok. Some are 10- to 15-percent higher, and some are out in left field.”
Ross noted the split of bidders local/and otherwise is about 70/30. “Some of the scope being so small did limit some of the guys looking at the project.
“I think we couldn’t have picked up a worse time for bidding,” he said, referring to the current Coronavirus pandemic. “With a full construction schedule, we could hit the ground running. Right now we need to work a little smarter and be more creative.”
Trustee Steve Fairchild asked, “Are we tied to a certain date? Maybe we didn’t expect this and want to save some money.”
Ross answered “If you are going to delay it, you are going to have to go to next summer. I think we just need to keep working.”
GRADUATION, PROM
Moody told trustees that word was received that Wichita Falls Memorial Auditorium was closed untl June 30, effectively ending a May 15 or May 30 graduation date. “So we are going to pencil in July 25 (Saturday) at 4 p.m.”
The senior prom has already been rescheduled for Saturday, July 18.
“If we get past this coronavirus, we’ll have the prom and graduation on back-to-back weekends.”
Trustee Ken Cooper asked “Is there a possiblity of having graduation at our own stadium.”
Moody answered “Yes, that is a possibility. All of us know that flexibility is something we are going to have to get used to.”
RENEWALS AND RESIGNATIONS
Thomas Zach Ward was hired as the head Ag teacher at the high school, and the retirement of Ronnie Benson, middle school tennis coach, was accepted. Resignations of Krista Little, first grade teacher at Kidwell, and Megan Bolding, middle school English/Honors teacher, were approved.
Contracts were renewed for the following:
Iowa Park High School
Trent Yurcho, English; Lacie Ramos, English; Jacalyn Cook, English/yearbook/ journalism; Jared Wilden, English; Laura Epps, English; Shawna Webb, English; Malachi Naef, math/athletics; Stephen Jones, math; Elise Rhodes, math; Cindy Skjelstad, math; Erica Hill, math/ athletics; Mauna Blackwell, math; Tommy Webb, math; Gabriel Pena, Spanish; Jennifer Gonzalez, Spanish; Brianne Rusk, Spanish; Jade Oates, Ag; Ryan Crafton, Ag; Misty Eppler, Ag; Drew Davison, theatre/debate; Kerri Edwards, choir; Caroline James, art; Charles Bradberry, band; Derrick Simpson, auto mechanics.
Also, Erin Nimetz, science; Johnna Vest, science; Kendra Davis, science; Brittany Cray, science; Brian Davidson, science; Joanne Hawkins, robotics; Shawnda Rasco, science/athletics; Craig Coheley, social studies/athletics; Tino Acosta, social studies/athletics; Michael Swenson, social studies/athletics; Gary Green, social studies/athletics; Eric Simmons, PE/Athletics; Kim Price, consumer science; Kelly Jo Scott, consumer science; Amanda Myers, technology; Cindy Dunn, cosmetology; Christi Knight, health sciences; Christi Brown, special education; Melissa Orr, special education; Amy Villanueva, special education; Jennifer Miller, library; Griffin Fields, girls’ coordinator/PE; Heath Taylor, ISS; and Ryan Gillen, tennis.
W.F. George Middle School
Angela Anderson, special education; Ronnie Benson, tennis; Chelsey Boaldin, 7th grade science and girls athletics; Megan Bolding, 8th grade ELA; Andy Bruner, special education; Cameron Castro, 7th grade science/girls athletics; Jennifer Gumm, 6th & 8th grade math; Jayla Ingersoll, 7th grade math; Dwayne Jackson, 8th grade history; Sean Jackson, 7th grade history/tennis/basketball; Casey Jordan, 6th grade ELA/girls athletics; Kim Kennedy, girls PE/girls’ athletics; Kayla Lalumia, 6th grade ELA/reading.
Also Cara Lane, 7th grade ELA/girls’ athletics; Rudolpho Leal, band, 6 - 8th grade; Jennifer Morgan, 7th & 8th grade science; Braden Perry, 6th grade history/world history; Stephanie Roberts, computer/journalism; Amy Robinson, band, 6 - 8th grade; Jacobi Sidlauskas, 6 - 8th grade PE/boys athletics; Laura Smith, 6th grade math; Lisa Trainham, 8th grade science; Lance Veitenheimer, 7th grade math/boys athletics; Danielle Welch, 8th grade ELA; Trisha Wells, 7th grade ELA; Melissa Wheeler, 6th grade science/history; Jordan Brady Whitaker, outdoor ed/ 8th grade history/boys athletics; Crystal Winninger, 8th grade math/robotics; Elizabeth Witherspoon, 6th grade ELA/Gifted and Talented; and Jason Young, 6th & 8th grade history/boys athletics.
Bradford Elementary
Presley Gann, 3rd grade; Christy Tucker, 3rd grade; Carol Olds, 3rd grade; Whitney McCullough, 3rd grade; Christy Hankins, 3rd grade; Kelli Cotton, 3rd grade; Samantha Miller, 3rd grade; Julie Dietrichson, Dyslexia therapist; Eliza Acosta, 4th grade; Michelie Byrne, 4th grade; Sierra Hamm, 4th grade; Becky Pedon, 4th grade; Jodi Trietsch, 4th grade; Heather Brown, 4th grade; Kaitlyn Fournier, 4th grade;
Also, Molly Schubert, 5th grade; Cindy Routh, 5th grade; Jayna Case, 5th grade; Donna Davis, 5th grade; Jeanette Slack, 5th grade; Mindy Haynes, 5th grade; Jennifer Roberts, 5th grade; Brenda Hodges, PE teacher; Sabra Wright, music teacher; Jennifer Crawford, special education teacher; Deena McCreary, special education teacher; Charity Ali, special education teacher; Kelli Busby, Gifted and Talented; and Katey Marek, Dyslexia therapist.
Kidwell Elementary
Wendy Doughten, Pre-K; Darla Jordan, Pre-K; Amy Lee, PPCD; Mindy Crawford, kindergarten; Joey Drury, kindergarten; Mindy Dutton, kindergarten; Erin Green, kindergarten; Alicia Meza, kindergarten; Carli Moody, kindergarten; Stephanie Stanley, kindergarten; Carmen Davis, 1st grade; Claire Fowler, 1st grade; Krista Little, 1st grade; Karianna Raschke, 1st grade; Amanda Rhodd, 1st grade; Stevi Richter, 1st grade; Sabrina Thornton, 1st grade.
Also, Kristina Deason, 2nd grade; Danielle Dozier, 2nd grade; Candace Green, 2nd grade; Shelby Johnson, 2nd grade; Marlaina McKnight, 2nd grade; Mickie Moody, 2nd grade; Miranda Sanders, 2nd grade; Michelle Turner, PE; Hillary Scott, music; Christie McIlroy, reading interventionist; Katie Marek, Dyslexia; Becky Holster, special education; and Tracy Young, special education.
In addition, contracts were renewed for Ray Schultz, police officer; Jayson Owen, police officer; Mike Parchman, technology director; Matt Voss, technology; Zachary Hamilton, technology; and Jamie Shipp, nurse.
