MWP-ISD Rates Superior
    by Danielle Pardue, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, September 29, 2008

On Wednesday Sept. 17, the Monahans Wickett Pyote Independent School District school board met for its regularly scheduled meeting.

The meeting also served as a public meeting for the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.  The floor was opened for public comments; however, no comments were made at that time.  The district was rated "Superior" within the rating system.

Monty Hunter, architecture representative for Hunter Coral Associates, gave construction project updates to the board.  As of meeting date, work on the inside of Tatom is being done with drywall, mechanical and electrical work, windows and insulation and painting.  Hunter also mentioned that not much work was being done on the baseball field but it will be picking up again soon.

Pictures of Tatom and the baseball field progress were provided.  Hunter said amidst all the construction, finances remain the same.  Hunter and Superintendent Keith Richardson looked over blueprints this last week for construction on the high school.  A motion was made and passed to release plans for a proposal on construction at the high school.

In the superintendent's report, Richardson gave updates on enrollment.  He said enrollment was up 42 students by the end of the first week of the 2008-09 school year.

That number is up 53 students from the last day of the 2007-08 school year.  Ten students were gained in the district after the Labor Day holiday. 

Richardson pointed out to the board that there were some problems with attendance due to not having the Labor Day holiday.  The district was at a 92 percent attendance on that day, as compared to the usual 97 percent.

Monahans High School Principal Kellye Riley took the floor to discuss results of the LifeTrack Survey.  This is a survey given to senior students during the last week of the school year.

Monahans High School began conducting this survey in 2003 to track continuing education plans for senior students.

"The main thing we want to do is make sure we provide a safe environment for our students to learn," Riley said.

As well there are several questions pertaining to the safety of the environment students feel Monahans High School provides.

Riley stated that of answers from students on the survey, 80 percent of students answer they have never been significantly harassed.  83 percent of student responses indicated that Monahans High School was an excellent and safe environment and 90 percent of students feel that they have had a positive learning experience at Monahans High School.

With technology being a big factor in student learning, 88 percent of students answered Monahans High School had a strong foundation in technology.  Seventy nine percent of students felt their teachers were knowledgeable in their subject content area and 83 percent of students felt the discipline policies at Monahans High School are fair.

Ninety percent of students overall think Monahans High School is a good place, and gave a good rating for learning environment.

Riley said there were several questions that grabbed her attention, and she would like to work on improving those areas.

Of the student questions, 64 percent of students answered that Monahans High School made learning exciting, therefore promoting the student to want to continue their education with 36 percent answering no.

In questions regarding a drug free environment, 14.3 percent of students say that Monahans High School needs improvement.  Riley stated that the school takes a proactive stance in dealing with this particular issue.

The school has drug and alcohol testing and policies in place within the athletic program and any time the student is representing the school in various activities.  The students are contacted one year and three years out of school to track their progress.

"It depends on if the student sends back the information and if they can find the student," Riley said.

Glenna Applewhite, assistant superintendent, went over and discussed with the board the 2008-09 District Improvement Plan.  After discussion and explanation of the 24-page plan, the board voted to adopt the plan.

The board voted to accept a bid on a 2000 Van Pool charter bus. The bid came in at $178,700. This is a 57-passenger bus as opposed to the 49 passenger buses the district currently has.  It will take about three weeks to get the bus in after it is refurbished with new seats and paint.

The board voted to appoint adjunct staff member status for Ward County Extension faculty Arian Gentry and Abigail Pritchard. With this status, students going on trips with these faculty members will be counted  in attendance as on a school related activity.

In other business, the board voted to approve minutes from previous meetings and took no action on sale of property, cause #19,965 75 x 157.75' Westover Tract Geo # 442-1-600 which is on west 14th Street and south Faye Street.

The board then convened into executive session to discuss various items including approving a residency waiver for Rita Crawford and discussion of Brandon Stephens' resignation. The board concluded that Stephens did not have good cause to abandon contract with MWPISD.

Members present at the meeting were trustees Bobby Almanza, Denny Latham, Kay Rankin, Donna Garcia, Bill Clayton, superintendent Keith Richardson and board president Bo Rose.  Trustee Raymond Reyes was absent.

Keyed by Priscilla Gould, Senior '09