Teachers Get $500 Boost
    By Danielle Pardue, Staff Writer ~~ Monahans News, August 25, 2008

In the Wednesday, Aug. 20, school board meeting, Superintendent Keith Richardson mentioned that teachers are very excited about getting money for supplies.  This is only the second time Board members can recall when teachers have received money for supplies.

Richardson discussed accountability ratings for the district with Sudderth being a "Recognized" campus and all other campuses being "Acceptable."   Reading and writing TAKS scores were high throughout the district with math and science scores being scattered and the lower of the groups.  It was said that special education scores are now included in the numbers and accountability ratings.

In a constructive update given by Richardson, he stated the construction of Tatom and the baseball field is moving along well.  The crews working on Tatom Elementary are also working on the baseball field, and construction is staying pretty much on schedule.

Bids will go out for construction on the high school at the September board meeting.  When bids are accepted, construction will start this year around December or January 2009.

Members of the school board voted unanimously to set the recommended tax rat of $1.04 and the I&S tax rat at .1643 per $100 valuation for the 2008-2009 school year.  The tax rate is going down and this figure represents a 2.5-cent reduction from last year.

The board voted unanimously to employ Paula Cortez as speech pathologist and Kelly Marshall, teacher at Sudderth.  The board also accepted residency waivers for Beau and Liza Harris and Paula Cortez, who live outside the school district.

The board voted unanimously to accept a bid given by Ernesto Muniz for $300 for property located at 400 N. Bruce.

In other business, permission was given by the board to look into getting a charter bus for the district.  It was asked by a board member, and answered by Richardson, that the district does have about five drivers that are qualified to drive the charter bus, if purchased.

A meeting by the school board president Bo Rose was called to discuss district budget amendments.  Bids for dairy and bread products for the district were approved, district appraisers and appraiser schedule were approved and minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Those attending the Aug. 20th meeting were Superintendant Keith Richardson, Board President Bo Rose and Trustees Bobby Almanza, Kay Rankin, Raymond Reyes, Denny Latham and Donna Garcia.  Trustee Bill Clayton was not present.

keyed by Priscilla Gould, Senior '09