Bonham, Texas -- The Board of Trustees of Bonham ISD met on April 15, 2024 at the Bonham ISD Administration Center in Bonham. President Chance Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All board members were present. Dr. LaTonia Arris led the invocation.
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Pre-kindergarten students from Bailey Inglish led the Pledge of Allegiance to the US and Texas flags. This included Mila Heverly, Luciano Garcia, Jessa Hatfield, Archer Sisneros, Eleanor Holly, Taylenn Briggs, Willow Romero, Aubree Parrish, Nikolai Alfaro, Talyn Lappin, Lorenzo Esquivel, Cruz Ibarra, Bennett McMillan, Annabelle Childers, Kayden Williams, Camden Parker, Olivia Hernandez, Elias Longoria, Arely Vega, Emily David Flores, Alayna Waits, Eliseo Longorio, Galilea Cruz and Lukas Fritts.
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Warrior Talk – Sean Floyd praised the baseball team for having a chance to make the playoffs. Myles Galyon praised BHS UIL team for placing 4th. He also noted that baseball and softball teams were doing well. Carlous Gilstrap added that the track team is also doing well this year. Arris agreed that she is proud of all of the sports achievements across the district. Jason Fox praised the junior high for their peer teaching in preparing for solar eclipse. Fox was also proud of how well the entire district did in preparing for the solar eclipse. Fox called out Coach Nichols for teaching high school students how to change a tire. Fox noted that prom went well and the floral design and culinary arts students helped with that. Fox was also pleased that the kindergarten round-up for incoming students at Finley Oates Elementary went well, too. Roberts echoed all of the praise for sports and added that the teachers and students have been focused on STAAR prep.
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Employee and Student Recognition: Iva Hedges was honored as the Bailey Inglish Paraprofessional of the Month by Principal Suzanne Kennedy. Hedges is a “floating classroom assistant” which Kennedy described as someone “we could not make it throughout the day without them.” Kennedy said that two staff people must be in every class at all times. Hedges is an extremely flexible person who will always help how needed. Kennedy praised Hedges positive spirit and “can do” attitude.
Dani Jones is the Bailey Inglish Professional of the Month. Jones teaches in a 3-year-old classroom. Kennedy said that if there is an event outside of school, Jones is always there. Jones is also very collaborative and always makes time to help others.
Bryn'Lee White is the Finley-Oates Student of the Month. Outside of school, White enjoys going to church, playing outside and feeding the homeless. White has a strong desire to take care of others. Teachers say that White is a bright spot in their day and that no matter what going on, White is a positive one in the class. When she grows up, White wants to be a veterinarian or business women. Principal Mary Lou Fox described White as smart, sweet and kind.
Brekel Dunlap is the I.W. Evans Student of the Month. Principal Karli Fowler said that this 6th grader is “amazing, the best and quiet but fierce.” Fowler added that Dunlap is good at lots of things, and humble. Dunlap has attended Bonham schools her whole life. Her favorite subject is math. She was described as a great student, who is also in Gifted & Talented classes, Future City, volleyball, basketball, yearbook and band. Dunlap is a leader in classroom and on court.
Jedidiah "Kane" Hatfield was named the L.H. Rather Student of the Month by Principal Meghan Weaver. Hatfield was described as a kid who would likely one day run the school and is a trusted person who promotes kindness. Becoming student of the month was a goal this year for this 8th grader.
Lily Kate Ramsey is a BHS Senior of the Month. Her principal said that if you go to any sports program, Ramsey is very likely to be there. Ramsey is a BHS varsity cheerleader who also helps with every age of cheerleaders. Ramsey said that if there are no cheerleaders on the sidelines of a game, Ramsey is likely to be in the stands, leading cheers. Ramsey recently signed to attend UT Tyler where she will continue to cheer. Her future plans also include going into speech pathology. Ramsey was involved in FFA and student government during her time at BHS.
Darian James Yarborough is a BHS Senior of the Month. He plays baseball and recently committed to play baseball at Arkansas State University. This month he threw a no-hitter and hit a homerun. When Principal James Branam was telling a story of a baseball play Yarborough was involved in, Yarborough exclaimed that “every ball is my ball.” Branam described Yarborough as a “take charge kind of guy.” When asked if he had anything to say to the school board, Yarborough enthusiastically said, “Thank you for the turf!”
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Coach Dills lead the Student Recognition of BHS Powerlifting - Regional and State Competitors. Dills said that 17 students made it to regionals, including 9 girls and 8 boys. One girl made it to state but was injured before she could compete. Two boys also qualified for state.
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Coach Ramsey provided staff recognition to Coach Dills for reaching a milestone of coaching more than 100 BHS powerlifters to the State Powerlifting Meet. Coach Dills has been in Bonham for 24 years and has coached 102 powerlifters to the state meets, all of which have been Bonham High School students. Dills has also coached 320 Regional qualifiers. Dills thanked Ramsey for coming to the state tournament and the superintendent Kelly Trompler for coming to every regional and state meet over the last several years.
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No Public Comment.
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Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included approval of meeting minutes, tax credits, supplements and delinquent tax collection for March, financial statements and bills payable for March, and budget changes and amendments.
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The board accepted written reports from Assistant Superintendent, Chief Operations Officer, Director of Child Nutrition, Boys Athletic Director, Girls Athletic Director, Bailey Inglish Principal, Finley-Oates Principal, I.W. Evans Principal, L.H. Rather Principal, Bonham High School Principal and Superintendent.
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Superintendent Report - Kelly Trompler said that at the end of March 2024, the enrollment count was 1958. I.W. Evans Intermediate School had the best attendance in March with 96.22%. She noted that the board was given a list of the current Open Positions and the ones for next school year. Trompler reported that Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10, the End of Year Staff Awards Program will be Friday, May 24, 2024, at 12:00 in the BHS Aux Gym and Graduation will be Friday, May 24, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
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Board discussed and approved Fannin County Head Start Enrollment Reduction Application, Justification Narrative and Budget. Kennedy presented information and explanation for the application. She noted that Bonham’s Head Start enrollment goal has been 139 children for many years. In the years after COVID, Bonham has been under this number and the federal guidelines were now giving Bonham one year to get back to 139 students. Kennedy reported that the staff attend every community event they possibly can attend to recruit more students. Kennedy described meetings with regional and state level Head Start leaders and how they helped them come to asking to be reduced to 105 students. Kennedy said she is hearing that the federal authorities will hopefully allow Bonham to keep current funding even if the number of students goes down. Kennedy noted that they have increased numbers of disability referrals, particularly for speech and mental health services. Trompler stated that a change in state guidelines for PreK services has meant that some students who would have come to Bonham in the past are now attending neighboring districts. Board and staff discussed how the PreK classes can help ensure that all students receive education services.
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Board approved the 2024-2025 Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials (formerly known as TEKS Certification).
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Board discussed and approved new Independent Auditor for financial audit. There was only one application from a company that does have extensive experience in doing school audits, including some schools that are larger than Bonham.
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Board approved removing Whitney Farris from and adding Traci Daniel to all Bonham ISD accounts at CapTex Bank.
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Board approved 2024-2025 Board Meeting Schedule.
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Board approved amendments to Professional Pay Scales within the Compensation Plan.
Superintendent stated she wanted to be competitive in search for a new CFO.
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Roberts shared an Information Item: Board Member Training Hours Report. Board member training hours ranged from 14 – 30 hours each, which meant all met the requirements for board training.
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The board went into executive session at 7:10 p.m. and returned at 7:38 p.m. The closed session was pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074, to consider and discuss hiring a superintendent and approval of the superintendent contract.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code section § 551.074, the closed session was also for discussion of personnel matters pertaining to evaluations, duties, terminations, replacements, reassignments, hiring, and additions to the staff.
Resignations: Joanne Alexander (Teacher) ~ Bailey Inglish; Tina Zimmermann (Teacher) ~ L.H. Rather; Faith Stoddard (Teacher) ~ BHS; Judy Brown Cloer (Instructional Aide) ~ Finley Oates; Deborah Nance (Cafeteria Manager) ~ I.W. Evans (Cafeteria); Carol Ellis (Instructional Aide) ~ Finley-Oates; Whitney Farris (CFO) ~ Administration; Kathy Gentry (FCSSA Aide)~ Finley-Oates; Jeanne Massong (Bus Monitor) ~ Transportation; Chrissy Templeton (Head Start Teacher) ~ Bailey Inglish;
New Hires: Ashley Miller ~ Finley Oates; Monica Kissling ~ Substitute; Ana Rios ~ Substitute; Haley Manson ~ Substitute; Katelyn Stone ~ Cafeteria Substitute;
Once back in open session, the board unanimously approved hiring Dr. Joy Wilson as the new superintendent and approving the superintendent contract. The meeting adjourned amid applause for the new superintendent. Wilson signed the contract after the meeting ended and then stayed for multiple photographs, including one with Audrey Rayford, who was Wilson’s Head Start teacher in Bonham many years ago.
