TISD discusses magnetic locking doors for safety

The Thorndale ISD school board held its regularly scheduled meeting on June 9.

Board Vice President Kimberly Biar called the meeting to order and led the audience in the pledges to the US and Texas flags and the invocation was given by Adam Ivy.  

Board members present were Biar, Ann Glenn, Kirk Becker, Chad Martinka and Adam Fisher. David Hall and Dean Betak were absent. 

The board started by recognizing several student groups. Michael McAnulty introduced the Bulldog fishing club and talked about their recent season. This is an unofficial club that several middle school students have been a part of this year. He explained that the club was funded through donations and relies upon volunteers.  

Coach Lance Betak and Coach Kelly Kuhl were also present to talk about the great success that the softball and baseball teams had this season.  

Administrative reports were up next on the agenda.  

Elementary principal Michael Young discussed STAAR scores and the one vacancy that he is still working to fill at the elementary. 

Middle School Principal Scott Frei reported that the middle school is currently fully staffed.  He also talked briefly about STAAR scores and the start of summer school. 

High School Principal Jennifer Parnham informed the board that she has one teaching position and one instructional aide position to fill. She also talked about a new mentoring program for next year called the PALS program.  

Superintendent Adam Ivy talked to the board about STAAR scores, the elementary renovation, portable building installation and a few summer maintenance projects.  He also presented a scenario for the board’s review that could change the way grade point average is calculated for classes taught in middle school. The consent agenda was presented and approved without any questions for clarification.

Ivy, Frei, Parnahm and Deby Leschber talked to the board about a program called YONDR.  

Ivy reminded the board that he had been briefing them on the possibility of this or a similar program for a few months.  He explained that the increasing problems associated with student use of personal electronic devices and social media in Thorndale as well as every school across the country had prompted the exploration of a solution.  The administrators said that while mobile phones are not generally allowed to be used at school there is too much gray area and discretionary time that makes it hard to manage.  

YONDR is a system that uses magnetic locking pouches that students would keep their devices in during the day to ensure that they are not in use.  

Ivy stated that he and the administrative team had spent many hours working through solutions and trying to anticipate questions or problems that people may have.  He also explained that they had visited another small district in Texas that is currently using the system and had the opportunity to see it in use and talk to teachers and students about it.  Ivy ended by saying that he was planning to visit with other districts using this system before making a decision. 

He added that if the district decided to go this route, the plan would be communicated to students and parents in advance of the new school year.  The board then reviewed the student transfer list for the 22-23 school year.  

Ivy explained that the list includes some students that have been asked for more information from their previous school and that there would likely be others that apply later in the summer.  This is a review only item that the board does not vote on. 

Business Manager Rebecca Peel talked to the board about the federal funding applications for the ESSA and SRSA grants.  She explained that this report was required to apply for the grants.

Ivy then asked the board to approve the purchase and installation of a new Public Address system at the elementary.  He informed the board that the previous system was damaged beyond repair by a lightning strike a few weeks ago.  The board voted 5-0 to approve this expenditure. As a result, the board also voted 5-0 to recognize the revenue from the insurance company for this expenditure through a budget amendment. 

Peel also conducted a brief budget workshop to inform the board of the anticipated revenue for next school year.  She based this on a projected enrollment of 590 students but she did say that this was a conservative number.

The board accepted the resignations of Lary Pipkin, Jimmy Salas and Karen Laurenzi.