Monday, May 6, 2024
The Gatesville Independent District Board of Trustees met on Monday, Dec. 11, and discussed several issues pertaining to the district including the replacement of staff lost through attrition and other personal needs, the purchase of Chromebooks for the elementary campus, and to vote on the school board officers for 2024.
The first agenda item dealing with the replacement of staff was described by Superintendent Dr. Barrett Pollard as being, “one of those initiatives which would bring back some of the positions lost through attrition.” Pollard explained, “We either did not replace the position or replaced it with a paraprofessional. With an increasingly difficult STAAR test and accountability system, we need these positions that are focused on academics back.”
After Pollard’s presentation and recommendation, the GISD board voted in favor of the replacement of lost staff.
In addition, Dr. Pollard addressed the board about the need to purchase Chromebooks for the elementary campus. He said, “Another initiative that we can now undertake thanks to the three golden penny revenue is the purchase of Dell Chromebooks for the elementary and the primary campuses.” Pollard continued, “After that purchase, 3rd grade will have 10 carts with 22 Chromebooks on each cart.”
“Previously, each elementary classroom simply had five Chromebooks for station work. Essentially, GISD will be one to one in 3rd grade through 12th grade after this purchase. Within this purchase, we are also looking at getting one cart of Chromebooks for the primary campus as well,” he said.
Following Pollard’s presentation and recommendation, the school board voted their approval up to $76,000 for the purchase of Dell Chromebooks and charging carts.
During the meeting, board members also discussed the election of school board officers for the 2024 school year. The current officers were re-elected for 2024 with Charles Ament voted as president, Charles Alderson as vice-president, and Cheyenne Kizer as secretary.
