Jennifer Perry Middleton
Jefferson Jimplecute
Jefferson Independent School District’s Board of Trustees watched a video update on the construction progress on the football field project during their regular meeting Tuesday.
Board members watched a time-lapse video compiled by District IT Director Jay Patrick which showed the work being done, including grading the turf from the football field.
“They have been consistent and working every day,” Superintendent Rob Barnwell said. “We have been seeing a lot of progress.”
He added that the field was actually more stable than originally thought, and that there is also an issue with the crust in one section of the parking lot. That issue is expected to be addressed this week, he said.
Trull & Hollensworth Architects of Magnolia, Ark., completed the project’s drawings in December 2021, which includes drainage, field improvements, fencing, update to the press box and ticket booth, along with additional parking and driving surfaces around the stadium. The project is planned for completion in time for the fall 2022 football season.
Trustees also approved two DECA students, Charlene Moore and Hannah Wales, to attend the national DECA conference, to be held April 22-26 in Atlanta, Ga. Moore, who is the chapter president and one of the District 6 vice presidents, qualified for nationals during the state DECA competition in February and will compete in Apparel and Accessories Marketing. Wales was selected by Texas DECA to attend the DECA Nationals as a voting delegate and will talk with all candidates, attend caucus meetings and participate in business meetings. During the trip, the students will also have the opportunity to visit the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca Cola.
Wales told the board that she is one of 23 delegates to represent Texas and that as far as she knows, this is the first time Jefferson DECA has advanced to the national level.
The board congratulated the students and told them to enjoy the experience. The trip will be paid for through Career and Technology Education funds.
In other business, the board approved an agreement with the Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Fund to continue using them to handle unemployment claims/issues.
The 2022-23 budget calendar was also approved Tuesday. The preliminary budget is due to the superintendent on May 20, review and board work sessions will be held in June and July, with budget hearings, budget adoption and tax rate adoption to be completed in August. The budget must be adopted by August 31.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 12.