Jennifer Perry Middleton/Jefferson Jimplecute
Jefferson Independent School District will soon have improved representation on US Highway 59 via a new electronic sign. The district’s Board of Trustees approved the replacement of the non-functioning electronic sign with a 5’x10’ LED with new cabinet faces on the top and bottom. Cost is $59,900 and the work will be done by Bailey Signs. The existing pole will be used and repainted.
In other business, Dr. Lynn Phillips,the district’s curriculum director, told the board that early literacy scores for students in kindergarten through second grade improved overall. She explained that it’s part of a five-year goal set four years ago and that many of the students were excelling with the curriculum.
“I feel pretty good about what we’ve done so far,” Phillips said.
She added that they implemented a new phonics program for the 2022-23 school year and that the district will be looking at new phonics programs to be put in place for the 3034-35 school year.
Kindergarten through second grade math scores were also part of Philips’ presentation., She said they met the goal for kindergarten math, fell a little below the goal for first grade and second grade did not make the progress and the growth they expected.
“Those scores fell short and we aren’t exactly sure why, but we are looking into it and will give those students additional resources to meet that goal,” Phillips said.
Heather McGregor with Region 8 Education Service Center gave a presentation to the board as well, this one focusing on how the Texas Education Agency’s letter grade system is changing in the upcoming year. She said that the refresh of the system has goals of creating a rigorous, fair and transparent accountability system. It measures many things including high achievement, progress and post-secondary readiness.
She explained that the letter grade the school will receive next year cannot be compared to the letter grade they received this year because the requirements to receive the grades have changed.
“That’s the most important thing to tell people when they ask about letter grades for a school,” she said. “It’s comparing apples to oranges and they aren’t the same.”
Trustees also heard a report on the progress of the district’s summer construction and maintenance projects. Window safety film, or tint, is now required by the state for all schools, and it will take about four weeks for JISD’s to be completed.
Demolition is complete on the junior high school cafeteria kitchen, with doors being cut this week and the floor ground and finished next week. It will then be painted, new ceiling tiles and lighting will be installed, along with new water lines and new kitchen equipment.
New flooring will be installed later this month in the junior high and elementary multi-purpose gyms and new flooring will also be installed in the field house. Once that is complete, it will be painted, new lockers will be installed and the heating and air system will be updated.
Walkways at the football stadium will also be paved with asphalt and the landing behind and around the home bleachers. Trees will be trimmed, the fencing will be repaired, lighting will be installed and new stadium gates will be put in place where needed.
New doors are also being installed at the elementary school.
Doors and hardware are being installed throughout the main hall, along with two exterior doors, frames and hardware.
Board members also approved a $614,000 budget for the Marion Central Appraisal District for the 2023-24 budget year. The budget increased six percent from last year, or just under $38,000.
Members also approved extra duty and athletic stipend schedules,the annual contract with Region 8 and the student supplemental insurance provider.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11.