Bonham, Texas -- A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Bonham ISD was held on February 12, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Bonham ISD Administration Center, 1005 Chestnut Street, Bonham, TX 75418.

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Board President Chance Roberts called the meeting to order. Board Member Carlous Gilstrap led the invocation.  All school board members were present except LaTonia Arris.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the US and Texas flags was led by 1st graders from Finley-Oates, including Paislee Keller, Mark Williams, Carter Kelso, Braelynn Hall, Jimena Garcia, Joshua Zuniga, Ulises De La Rosa, Melanie Delgado, Jackryan Foster, Addlyn Mussett, Germany Owens, Jagjear Shelton, Sadie Giesler, Greyson Robinson, Bryson Norton, Zayden Hasten, Bryce Lawrence, Paisley Rivera, Connor Edwards, Aria Messina, Nathaniel Moore, Weston Ima, Lilli Arguello and Colton Anderton.

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Warrior Talk

Myles Galyon expressed congratulations to the choir and best wishes to all the spring sports.  Chance Roberts also said congratulations to the choir and is looking forward to the spring sports.  Roberts also said the ag students have been to San Angelo recently and will be going to San Antonio and Houston soon. 

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Employee and Student Recognition

Jason Busby presented Daniel Harris with the Administration (Paraprofessional) Award. 

Harris works in the tech department and district security is priority.  

Assistant Superintendent Traci Daniel presented Jenny Haggard and Chris Dickson with the Administration (Professional) Awards.  Both Haggard and Dickson are instructional specialists who work with the campus principals, helping them with understanding data from testing and coming up with innovative ideas to improve student performance. Daniel said it was their idea to host teacher training last fall. 

Daniel praised their collaboration and shared how they balance each other nicely, with Dickson being strong with statistics and Haggard being strong in the implementation of ideas. Daniel said this is the third year of them being a team and they are starting to see the fruits of their labor. Daniel said they truly have the best interests of students at heart and will give honest feedback. Daniel praised them for always being supportive and willing to do what it takes. She also noted that both are proud Bonham High School alumni.

Principal Mary Lou Fox presented the Finley-Oates Student of the Month to Jacky Kersey.  Fox described him as a good friend who helps others, is a hard worker and kind. 

Kersey likes to draw and enjoys fossil hunting.  When he grows up, he wants to be an architect or tattoo artist.

Principial Karli Fowler presented the I.W. Evans Student of the Month Award to Aiden Golden.  He is a fourth grader in Trails class.  Golden likes drawing and going to the library, as he likes to read. 

Golden was described as a ray of sunshine, helper and kind to everyone.  When asked what it means to be Bonham Purple Warrior, Golden said, “We celebrate!”

Principal Meghan Weaver presented the L.H. Rather Student of the Month award to Aiden O'Conner. 

Weaver said O’Conner is a leader in the classroom and in athletics.  She said he is known for helping friends and classmates and for his integrity.

Johnathan Brister is one of the BHS Seniors of the Month.  Brister has been here two years and really enjoys celebrations.  Brister’s future plans may include the military or college.  He is considering SMU and looking at engineering as he loves working with his hands. 

When asked what it means to be Purple Warrior, Brister said it is being part of family and he expressed gratitude for being part of that family.

Kaitana Hill is the other BHS Senior of the Month. She is the captain of the girls’ soccer team and on the yearbook staff.  This is her third year at BHS.  She recently got an acceptance letter from Texas Tech.  Her principal described her as friendly to everyone.

When asked what being Bonham Purple Warrior means, Hill said it is being part of family and everyone is together.

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Public Comment

Mattie Winkles spoke first.  She said that at the last board meeting, she listened to the board and administrators talk about the kids she works with and it broke her heart. She said the kids she works with mean the world to her and she leads with love. She shared how their classrooms are the safe space for her students.  She talked about “potato day” which may look crazy but students are learning job skills, budgeting, shopping skills and more. It bothered her to listen to the discussion at the board meeting last month when the board and administrators discussed the possibility of Bonham no longer being part of the special education co-op. Winkles said that it is more than the numbers. Winkles’ class is largest and she said she can work with that, although if her class size continues to grow, she may need more staff.

Cheri Frazier spoke next. She stated that the program for students with special needs was started 41 years ago.  She said they built the curriculum and the program impacts the students, their families and entire district.  She talked of former students frequently coming to visit and how the staff works as a team. She stated that it is a calling to work in these classrooms and not everyone is suited to this work. She invited board members to visit her classrooms. She said that she and other staff did panick when they heard discussion of withdrawing from co-op and listed the numerous services they utilize for students from the co-op. She described the life skills worked on everyday and highlighted the work of the “snack shack” where after the bell rings, students practice customer service skills, managing inventory, shopping, handling money and more. She talked about the Thanksgiving dinners and the Christmas celebrations held each year. She thanked the board for their support of the co-op program and students.

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Consent Agenda – Board approved the following: meeting minutes, budget changes and amendments, tax credits, supplements and delinquent tax collection for January, and financial statements and bills payable for January.

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Reports to the Board – the board received written reports from: Assistant Superintendent, Director of Operations, 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.

Superintendent Kelly Trompler also gave a verbal report to the board. At the end of January 2024, the enrollment count was 1951.  Bonham High School had the best attendance in January with 91.12%. This was the first time this year for BHS to win this award. Principal James Branam exclaimed that he was “stoked” and assistant principal Eric Hicks stated that they would be taking a photo with the winning flag the following day.

Trompler asked the board if they wanted to set Board Goals now as they typically do this time of year or would they want to wait for new superintendent to be here. Consensus was to go ahead with goal planning and make any adjustments when the new superintendent was here.

Trompler asked for input on Team of 8 Training Ideas.  One idea discussed was learning more about hiring a new superintendent.

Trompler asked the board for input on the Superintendent Search Staff Survey. This survey will be given to staff to seek their input on what staff thinks are the most important qualities and characteristics the board should be looking for in a new superintendent. Trompler asked the board if they wanted to have a similar survey for the board and community, and the board agreed.  Staff surveys will be sent out via email. Parent surveys will be sent out through Parent Square. Community surveys will be sent out via Facebook, North Texas e-News, etc.

The board and Trompler discussed the Superintendent Search Timeline. Applications are due by February 20.  The surveys will go out this week and Trompler will get the board the results by the following week. By February 26 the board will meet to look at applications and firm up interview questions. Two rounds of interviews will be held, one before Spring Break and another after. They will then conduct background checks on top candidates.  The goal is to declare the lone finalist by early April and have a special meeting to make the final selection in late April.

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Public Hearing: 2022-2023 BISD Annual Report was started at 6:48 p.m. and ended at 7:02 p.m. Traci Daniel, Assistant Superintendent, lead the review of the required annual report.  The report includes information about academic performance and growth, attendance, graduation and drop out rates, college, military and career readiness, district demographic information for students and staff, financial reports, district accreditation, campus performance objectives and goals, report on violent or criminal incidents, performance in post-secondary education, and progress of the district on board adopted HB3 goals.  Daniel noted that BISD had no violent or criminal incidents in the 2022-2023 school year.  She also pointed out that the number of kids who qualify as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act has recently tripled at Finley Oates Elementary. This report is now published on the district website.

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Chief Financial Officer Whitney Farris reported to the board that she learned last week that McClanahan and Holmes would be terminating their contract to provide audit services to the District.  Trompler and Roberts each shared that they spoke to April Hatfield of McClanahan & Holmes and learned that the Bonham workload has become too big for them.

Farris discussed her efforts to find a new firm.  She has spoken to several firms who do not have the capacity to take on another school district and has found one who is interested in serving Bonham ISD.

Board approved up to $70,000 in aggregate costs to McClanahan and Holmes for audit services provided during the 23-24 fiscal year.

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Board approved transferring $50,000 from Child Nutrition Fund Balance for equipment.

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Board approved the Fannin County Head Start Ongoing Monitoring Plan and the Fannin County Head Start Training & Technical Assistance Plan 24/25

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Board approved the Fannin County Head Start Grant Application, Justification Narrative, & Budget.

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Board approved the Fannin County Head Start Cost Allocation Plan 2024-2025.

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Board approved adding a Drill Team program at L.H. Rather.  Clapping erupted in the room after this decision.

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Board approved the 2024-2025 Calendar. Trompler reviewed process for coming up with three different options of calendars. After 210 employees voted on the three choices, draft A received the majority of votes (82%),  Therefore, Trompler recommended version A and the board adopted that version.

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Information Item - Cycle 2 Assessment Data: November 2023-January 2024,  BISD staff reviewed this report for the board.  Daniel notes that there was significant improvements in achievements from Winter 2023 to Winter 2024.  She also was pleased to report that a consultant who is an industry expert and looks at school test results across the state had high praise for the district and said their results are “outstanding.”

Dixon noted that generally, everything is up.  He shared graphs comparing last year and this year and reported that intervention strategies are working.  Haggard stated that “we are promoting growth.”  She noted that last year only the lowest achievement kids were reaching 50% growth and this year, nearly every achievement group has hit 50% growth.  Haggard stated that teachers are doing a good job.

Bailey Inglish Principal Suzanne Kennedy said they started this year lower than compared to the year before but they are now seeing improved scores.  She reviewed what teachers and staff are doing to help students to continue to improve.

Fox reviewed progress towards goals and what they are doing at her campus to help teachers improve. They have started after school tutoring. Homework U has shifted strategy.  The first hour is “pre-teaching” next week’s topics so that students will have some familiarity with topics when they are taught in the classroom.  The second hour is spent catching up.

Fowler was excited to report that her sixth graders have already exceed their goals for this year.  Fourth grade students are getting close to end of year goal too.  Fifth grade is now a focus as many students are still working on learning to read.  Fowler talked about the Glow Dance Party, which has provided an incentive for students to do well on the testing.  Fowler also said staff is talking to students about goals individually. Fowler reviewed upcoming strategies, which includes STAAR boot camps and tutoring.

Weaver expressed disappointment in results from her campus.  However, she noted that the amount of growth overall is up when tracked individually.  She discussed strategies including adjusting the bell schedule for more instruction time, STAAR boot camps and teacher training. 

Branam said that “we are not where we want to be yet at the high school.”  He said that they are showing growth.  He talked about going forward, they would focus on teacher training, STAAR Boot Camps, after-school tutorials twice a week for some students and restructuring Warrior Time.

Trompler said that staff are doing a great job and lots of growth is being shown.

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Board went into Executive Session at 7:46 pm, pursuant to Texas Government Code section § 551.074, for discussion of personnel matters pertaining to evaluations, duties, terminations, replacements, reassignments, hiring, and additions to the staff:

1. New Hires: Gale Swinehart ~ BHS

2. Reassignments: None

3. Resignations: Melissa Tiffie ~ Bailey Inglish; Traci Daniel ~ Administration  (Retirement)

4. Terminations: Jherson Manuel ~ I.W. Evans Teacher

Consider Superintendent's recommendations regarding employment and contract status of Assistant Superintendent, District Directors and Administrators pursuant to Government Code 551.074.

Pursuant to Texas Education Code Section 551.076. deliberation regarding security devices or security audits.

Board returned from Executive Session at 8:27 pm. Board voted to approve contracts as discussed in Executive Session.  Meeting adjournment at 8:27 pm.

After the meeting, Roberts clarified that I.W. Evans Teacher Jherson Manuel was an at-will employee who was fired by Trompler last Friday.  Because he was an at-will employee, this action did not need a board vote.