Student Commendations, District Improvement Plans Highlight CISD Meeting

CROCKETT - The Crockett Junior High One Act Play participants were given special recognition during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Crockett Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting held on Dec. 12.

Theater Arts teacher Janet Walker addressed the assembled board members saying, “The last year Crockett Junior High competed in the UIL One Act Play contest was 2001. A lot of these kids are 12 and 13-years-old, and this is the first time on stage for most of them. I am so proud of them. We started rehearsals the last part of September. It is pretty much the length of a football season. The parents were wonderful. They were understanding and supportive. The junior high staff, Mrs. Martin, and everyone else was fantastic. Directing these kids was so much more enjoyable than the high school group. It really was a joyful journey. They worked really, really hard. They rehearsed everyday and I want to point out a few things. They placed third.”

She said Irene Ortiz was awarded best actress during the competition. All Star members included Ozzy Ory and Jessie Drabek. Honorable mention honors went America Guerrero Arcibar and Carson Cook received the tech award. Other cast and crew members included Grant Brannen, Monique Abbs and Andrew Walker.

In other business, the district improvement plan was also discussed.

CISD Superintendent Dr. Doug Moore addressed the board saying, “I feel like Mrs. Julian needs to be commended. She and her staff put a lot of work into this. I attended some meetings and Mrs. Julian attended every one of those meetings, and those people who gave their time need to be commended.”

Board Vice President Deborah Kennedy said, “This is the best plan that I’ve seen since I’ve been on the board. I’m really pleased that you are wanting to add Spanish at the junior high level. Investigating soccer is also a good thing. It’s a great plan. I enjoyed reading it.”

The district improvement plan was unanimously approved.

The individual campus principals also provided an update as to what was happening on their campuses.

ECC Principal Deborah Revels said her teachers were receiving a tremendous amount of training in order to better ensure the students were getting the best education possible. Elementary Principal Ann Fiolek recapped the recent UIL Elementary competition. She informed board members that as a team they finished third and had twelve individual and nine team medal winners. Eight other participants will also receive ribbons.

Junior High Principal Johnita Martin also provided a UIL update. She said the junior high hosted the recent competition and they had placed either as a team or individual 49 times. The final results are not in yet because entrants in the writing competition have yet to be graded. High School Principal Judy Leediker addressed the board about the strides her campus has made in the area of technology. Pineywoods AEC Principal Debora Lamb said they now have 56 students on her campus, and she and her staff are working with parents to help better the school and give a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in education.

In other board related matters:

• the board approved a proposed change to TASB Policy EI (Local) regarding academic achievement;

• a memorandum of understanding between the school district and the City of Crockett about the construction of the safe room shelter was approved;

• a bid from Texas Imaging Services in the amount of $8,625.84 was approved to provide copy service to the district.

• the Highly Qualified Teachers report was approved;

• the board also decided to employ Powell & Leon, LLP as general legal counsel;

• trustees were also given an update on the status of their continuing education hours;

• a contract was extended to Shirley Franks to teach fourth grade; and

• media contracts were also discussed by the trustees.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at wjohnson@messenger-news.com