In a lengthy regular session Monday, June 20, the Bonham ISD Board of Trustees voted to attempt to sell 50 acres of land west of Bonham purchased five years ago and voted to authorize a committee to go back to work securing support for another proposed bond issue, but first the school board had to face an overflow crowd that was dismayed with a decision to reassign Bonham's most successful varsity-level coach in recent years.
While directing the
"He helped us improve as students -- that's what he's done for all of us," stated Adam Deas, a former standout powerlifter at
And parents rallied around Dills, too. Samantha Lumpkins said her son participated in several sports, but the impact of being a part of the successful BHS powerlifting program was quite noticeable.
"To see the camaraderie that Coach Dills has instilled in these young men and women is awe-inspiring," said Lumpkins. "The self-confidence that his program instilled in my son will remain with him his entire life."
Lawyers for the two sides exchanged animated verbal punches -- Dills was represented by attorney Rick Arnett and Bonham ISD had to hire a lawyer to defend its decision to reassign Dills -- with the crowd soon caught up in the emotional debate.
"The board knows what's behind this," implied Arnett. "It's pure nepotism."
"This is a very difficult position we're been put in," observed Bob Thomas, president of the school board.
The first order of business was to determine if the notification of reassignment was done in a timely manner, specifically was the employee given a 45-day notice. The board voted 6-0 that the notification was handled in a timely manner. However, closer investigation revealed that Dills was actually given a 37-day notice, in which case the legal precedent called for the board to return Dills to his previous capacity.
"Let's call it a lesson learned," remarked board member Jim Simpson. "What's right is right."
To the delight of an anxious crowd, the board voted 6-0 to grant a request for relief by Dills.
Dills will return to his previous position as A.E.P teacher and head powerlifting coach.
With that difficult decision behind them, the board turned to the most pressing matter at hand -- improving facilities throughout the district.
Mary Wells expressed appreciation at the recent hiring of a fine arts theatre instructor, but asked for better facilities. Wells feels this is a necessary step if Bonham is to transition from a school that "has a program that we offer, to a school with a program that we do well."
"I want them to have the resources I never had," remarked Kirkpatrick.
Matt Andrew had requested the board consider a bond issue in the November election, and the board gave Andrew a green light to organize a committee to explain the need for the bond. Anyone interested in working with this committee should contact Andrew at 903-583-0431.
Bonham ISD Board of Trustees also took the first preliminary steps toward recouping a large expenditure by a previous board when trustees voted 6-0 to sell 60 acres west of Bonham with highway frontage on U.S. 82.
The property was purchased in 2006 for $508,178.32.
"That land is just sitting there and the community is asking what we are doing with that land," said school board president, Bob Thomas. "To me, it is property not producing an educational return."
The board insists it will only entertain offers in the realm of the original purchase price, which would mean the property would need to be purchased for approximately $8,500 per acre for the district to break even.