School Enrollment Figures Continue to Rise
    By Myrtleann Anderson, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, March 31, 2008

The Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, March 26 with President Bo Rose presiding and Superintendent Keith Richardson, Trustees Dave Poynor, Kay Rankin, Raymond Reyes, Denny Latham, Donna Garcia and Bill Clayton Present.

Richardson told the board that district enrollment figures were up again this month, after a large drop last year.

The current enrollment of 1,942 students is an increase of nine students over last year's March enrollment of 1,933 students.

Students from Sudderth Elementary, Walker Junior High School and Monahans High School were recognized by the board for their accomplishment in the following events:  UIL, science fair, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls weightlifting, and VICA.

Coaches and teachers complimented the students and teams for their dedication, hard work, and academic achievement while participating in the events.

During the financial reports, it was noted that the February Chapter 41 payment of $437,073 was sent to the designated school district, with seven more payments to follow.

A contract for electricity with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) was approved.

"TASB made it easy on us this year," Richardson said, "because we have been in a pool with them for some time.  Our cost was going to be around $9 per kilowatt this year, but TASB called back and said we could get our electricity for $.0819.  This is an excellent price, and it will save us around $35,417 a year.  Over four years that will be quite a large savings."

Administrative Assistant Calvin Carrell said, "Last month you voted to continue with TASB, and their charge for managing is very minor.  I was visiting with them and asking when we were going to get a price for our electricity.  Since our energy usage is generally the same, they said we could stand-alone.  They said this was a great price and we should jump on it.  So we signed up for four years."

In the absence of architect Monte Hunter, Richardson gave the board an update on current construction at Tatom and planned construction at Monahans High School.

He said, "Construction is going really well at Tatom.  Monte is working with the committee at the high school, and everything is going well there also.  The high school gym located by the cafeteria looks really nice.  It is a thousand times better with new paint and a new floor."

A bid of $300 by Jerry Tefertiller for a 1985 passenger bus was accepted.  According to Richardson, the vehicle had previously been put up for bids, but no one had responded.  Due to the poor condition of the bus, he told the board it was a good bid.

Three properties were approved for sale:  Ray B. Martinez bid $700 for Lot 1, Blk. 12, Original Town of Monahans 400 N. Dorris; Jose F. Collazo bid $100 for Lot 12, Blk. 3 North side Addition, 513 N. Main and Felipe F. Arroyo bid $500 for W. 55' of Lot 17 and Lot 18, Blk. 27, Original Town of Monahans, 112 S. Alice.

In other business, the board accepted the resignations of Brent Lucas at Walker Junior High School, Cyndi Stricklin as special education director, Courtney Myers at Cullender Kindergarten and John Easterling at Monahans High School.

The board approved reemployment of teachers, and other professional personnel for 2008-2009 school year and reemployment of teachers and other professional personnel contingent on certification requirements of "Highly Qualified" status for the 2008-2009 school year.

The board took no action on consideration for the sale of property by Tatom Elementary.

The next meeting of the board will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 7:30 pm at the MWP-ISD Administration Building.

Keyed by Evan Heminway, Senior 2008