School Lunch Prices to Increase
    By Myrtleann Anderson, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, May 22, 2008

The Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, May 21 with President Bo Rose presiding, and Superintendent Keith Richardson, Trustees Dave Poyner, Kay Rankin, Raymond Reyes, Denny Latham, Donna Garcia and Bill Clayton present.

Superintendent Richardson presented Trustee Dave Poynor with a plaque of appreciation at the May board meeting.

"We appreciate your hard work and dedication during your three years of service on the MWP-ISD school board," Richardson told Poynor.

Poynor was defeated in the May election. Bobby Almanza will be installed as District 5 Trustee at the June Board meeting.

The Board voted to increase cafeteria prices for the 2008-2009 school year. Kindergarten and first through third grade students will pay $1.10 for breakfast and $1.30 for lunch; grades four through eight will pay $1.20 for breakfast and $1.80 for lunch; grades nine through 12 will pay $1.25 for breakfast and $2.10 for lunch (reduced student lunches will be $.30 less for breakfast and $.40 for lunch); employees pay $1.75 for breakfast and 2.75 for lunch. Adults and visitors will pay $1.75 for breakfast and $3.25 for lunch with milk fees set at $.50 for both students and adults.

Richardson told the board the cafeteria fees have remained the same since 2002, but rising food prices from district food providers have made the increase necessary.

Coach Robert Dixon introduced the MHS baseball team, and Coach Brandon Stephens introduced the softball team for recognition of their accomplishments by the board. Retiring form the district are Transportation Director Connie Bean, Special Education Director Cyndi Stricklin, Coach Arcadio N. Rivera, Berlinda Rivera, Jo Ellen Ham, Cheryle Cox, Willa Bartuska, Yolanda Woods and Lenora Terrasas. Resignations were accepted from Brandt Sayger and Thomas Clay at Monahans High School; David Parker at Walker Junior High School; Bonnie Richardson at Sudderth Elementary; Susan Lawson and Irma Gonzalez at Edwards Elementary and Shaye Ingram at Special Education.

Residency waivers for Dale Allen, Pam Baker, Suzanne Dominguez, Lorena Flores, Jana Jordan Gaule, Shaye Ingram, Kathy Jones and Janet Matthews for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year were approved at the April board meeting.

The Board denied a waiver from Debbie Wood for the 2008-2009 school year.

The following personnel was hired by the district: Kurt White will teach and coach at Monahans High-subject to assignment; Stephanie Taylor will teach and coach at Walker Junior High-subject to assignment; Minerva Navarrete was approved as Registered Nurse for MWP-ISD; Kim Gilliam will act as Director of Special Education, and Britney McCutchen will teach and coach at Walker Junior High-subject to assignment.

A change in Texas Association of School Board Policy for substitute, temporary and part time position within the district were approved.

"The only change in the policy is the age at which we can hire a substitute," Richardson explained. "The age will change, moving it up from 18 to 20 years of age. younger substitutes want to sub at high school, but it doesn't work because of the age. The change will affect substitutes at all school."

Richardson said enrollment figures were up to 13 students from this time last year. " We have lost a few this month, which is a typical pattern," he said. "We are ending the year with an increase of 25 to 30 students in daily attendance. We would, however, like to have a few more students."

In a construction update, Richardson told the board that Tatom's foundation slab was poured, and the big transformer was replaced. According to Richardson, contractors had to wait two weeks for the metal to be delivered, but it is starting to go up now.

Richardson said Architect Monte Hunter has held meetings and has a  design summary prepared for the high school.

"The new section is pretty will done as far as construction plans," he said, "and Hunter will be meeting with the contractors. There's a few small things they are doing, such as moving he ramp into the auditorium over to the site. The high school project is on schedule. It will go out for bids in August. Tatom should be completed by October, but we are not sure when the teacher will move into the new school."

Bids were approved for the following properties: a bid of $400 submitted by Angeline Ramsey for Cause #18,133, Lot 5, Blk. 11,Knox addition, 807 E. "A" St; a bid of $200by Felipe Arroyo for Cause #21,208, Lot 2, Blk. 1, Duffey Addition, 702 N. Allen; a bid of $100 by Richard Covington for Cause #15,039, Lot 4, Blk. 46, Original town of Monahans, 305 E. "A" St.; a bid of $250 by Roy Davis for Cause #21,205, Lot 12, Blk. 113, Original town of Wicket, 702 W. 2nd; a bid of $150 by Mike and Michelle Yoho for Cause #18,140, Lot 7, Blk. 112, Original Town of Wickett, 109 Iriving and a bid of $250 by Mike and Michelle Yoho for Cause #18,655, Lots 1 and 2, Original Town of Wickett, 901 O'Brien.

Attendance at the 2008 Summer Leadership Institute were discussed.

Superintendent Assistant Calvin Carroll presented the votes for canvassing after the May 10th school board election.

The Trustees went into executive session for almost two hours to discuss adoption of 2008-2009 salary scheduled, resignation of personnel and employment of personnel. No decisions were mad after reconvening.

The next meeting of the board will be on June, 18 at 7:30 pm at the MWP-ISD Administration Bldg. At 606 S. Betty.

keyed by Laura Hinojos , Junior 08'