Bonham, Texas - A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Bonham ISD was held November 17, 2025, at the Bonham ISD Administration Center. Board President Chance Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. All members were present, except Myles Galyon. Pledges to the US and Texas flags were led by 4th graders from IW Evans.
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Warrior Talk
Carlous Gilstrap said that LH Rather construction is looking good, as are the tennis courts at the high school. Roberts said he echoes those comments and added that the repairs from the summer tornado storm damage at Finley Oates, batting cage and softball fields were also looking better. He is looking forward to basketball season.
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LH Rather Principal Megan Weaver announced that the Teacher of the Month is Tayler Hughes, who was not present because she was coaching at the junior high basketball games. Weaver presented the Paraprofessional of the Month award to Matthew McFatridge, or “Mr Mac” as he is affectionately called. McFatridge was described as one who goes above and beyond regularly and is always happy to help however needed. He also stays afterschool to help tutor students.
Phylis Kinnaird presented an October award to Myrna Malone who could not attend last month’s meeting. She came out of retirement in 2021 to work for the district again. She was described as a bundle of energy who is dependable and fast moving. She helps train new staff in the cafeterias and is greatly appreciated by her supervisors and peers.
Finley Oates Student of the Month is Jenan Mahamdeh. She is a 3rd grader who started in BISD in first grade. She loves reading and math and wants to become a doctor in order to figure out what she can do help students with autism and Down’s Syndrome. When asked if she has any family who are impacted by autism or Down’s Syndrome, she said no, but she sees students at school with these challenges and wants to learn how to help them. Her teachers described her as having a big, generous heart for others and is always doing the right thing.
Last month’s Student of the Month for Finley Oates was also recognized at this meeting since she could not attend last month. Rebecca Pinto is in her first year in Bonham after moving here from Brazil. Pinto speaks English and Portuguese. Her favorite parts of school are lunches, playground, math and art. When she grows up she wants to be a doctor. Teachers describe her as a hard worker and role model, who is always encouraging others, standing up for others and setting a good example.
IW Evans Student of the Month is fifth grader Tenley Munholland. She has been in Bonham since kindergarten. She likes to play and crochet. She wants to go to college at Midwestern State University like many of her family. When she grows up, she wants to be a special eye doctor to help kids who can’t see. Her advice to younger students is to never give up, even when its hard. Her teachers say she is a ray of sunshine.
LH Rather Student of the Month is seventh grader Kinslee Lambright. She has been at BISD since second grade. She was described as a hard worker, who perseveres and never settles for less than her very best. Future plans include becoming a pilot or interior designer or both. She was described as talented, gifted, and hard working.
BHS Seniors of the Month are Gray Lancaster and Zak Siler. The new assistant principal said that both students were some of the first to welcome him to BHS. Lancaster was described as an office aide with a great smile, who warms the place up. She participates in basketball, track, softball, tennis, FCA, peer helper group, Senior Crew and athletic trainer. She has been at BISD since kindergarten. Her future plans include attending Collin College to get her BSN in pediatrics. She described that she bleeds purple and thinks that means no matter where you are, be ready to represent Bonham well. Her teachers said she is a great role model who makes good decisions, encourages others to make good decisions and has a positive attitude.
Siler is the high school drum major who has plans to become a pilot. He participates in robotics, tennis, fishing, FCA, and jazz band. He has been in Bonham ISD since Head Start. His future plans are to go to Southeastern Oklahoma University for their pilot program. He scored a perfect score on his AP pre calculus test. Teacher describe him as an outstanding student, who excels as leader and is just a wonderful young person. Roberts described a recent time when Siler and his co-drum major stepped up at the last minute to lead a band performance at the junior high when all of the band teachers were not available.
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Public Comment
Jason Walker spoke about “giving our students and staff a chance.” He noted that the board members are generally not attending sporting events for the district. He questioned the fact that the freshman athletic period was taken away and was critical of the weight lifting equipment, school landscaping and irrigation systems. He strongly urged the board to be more supportive of the coaching staff and the athletic programs.
Randy Pendergrass spoke about athletic operations and how he thinks BISD and the board can better support our students. He asked for more money, coordination and board support of athletics. While he said that athletics is second place to academics as it should be, he urged the board and administrators to reexamine the master schedule and bring back the freshman athletic period. He urged the board to focus on player safety and preparation.
Dallas Curry expressed concerns about athletics at BISD. She was asking for change and noted that many junior highs students may leave for neighboring schools if improvements are not made soon. She questioned why the district spent money for new jerseys when helmets and other safety equipment were more urgently needed and when gym equipment doesn’t work. She questioned why the high school does not have freshman athletics anymore, why parents have to get donations and feed the athletic students on game days and why so many high school students are refusing to play sports.
Ms Alexander spoke about safety concerns with athletics. She talked about the importance of having an athletic trainer present at all games, even away games. She said that at a recent away game, that there was a delayed response to an injured student because they had to wait for the trainer from the opposing team. She was critical of the junior high athletic gear and questioned the safety and resources for the athletic department.
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Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included meeting minutes, financial reports, annual interlocal agreement with Region 10 and a donation from Perdue Brandon, Gallagher, and WRA for the Holiday Open House.
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Dr. Lance Hamlin gave the Superintendent Report. Enrollment is now 1939. Since the first day of school the district has gained 17 more students, but enrollment is down from last year. Daily Attendance rates is 94.7% across district. Evans is leading the way and close behind them is LH Rather. Administrators submitted written reports to the board.
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Board received an Information Item: LOCAL Policy Update 126. Roberts noted that this is the first reading and the board will plan to adopt these at next board meeting. He said many changes are clean up language. One change is that the board meeting notice will now be by 6 pm on Wednesday for the Monday meetings. Discussions included the deadline for board members to add agenda items, the amount of time speakers will have in public comment and the grievance policies. Roberts said the grievance policies are reworked to allow parents to informally solve problems without filling a formal grievance. There was much discussion about the extended timelines and concern for coming up with a timely response.
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Board received an Information Item - BISD Assessment Data. Sandy Meyer, Assistant Principal at Bailey Inglish, said they are focused on data. She noted that this campus is a foundation for district’s students. She reviewed baseline data and noted because the school takes everyone, sometimes the numbers can change dramatically year to year. She reviewed the steps they are taking to prepare students for kindergarten.
Finley Oates Principal Karli Fowler reviewed assessment scores and talked about the challenges and successes. She discussed changes at that campus including two new reading curriculums, a new reading coach and a new staff person to work with the bilingual students. She said the teachers are open and receptive to the additional support. Fowler believes that there are lots of good things going on. Fowler also said that first grade is so critical because its when students learn to read. Hamlin said the focus is on reading, as it impacts all other scores and tests.
IW Evans Principal Ms. P reviewed results from her campus. She was frank in saying that “we need to improve.” She notes that the campus does not have a bilingual teacher and they haven’t for years. She looked internally at what resources had and formulated extra help internally for the bilingual students. There is a shortage of bilingual teachers across state. She said that part of their action plan includes having a high level of appearance in classroom by the principal and assistant principal. She said that the new curriculum had a rough start, but they are starting to see successes. “We have work to do. We are pushing hard,” she said.
Board members asked how closely does MAP assessments follow the STARR results. Hamlin said usually MAP is a good predictor of STARR results. He said he needs more time to figure out the anomalies happening in Bonham.
LH Rather Principal Megan Weaver reviewed assessment scores and highlights of what they are doing. She notes that their focus is on targeted interventions.
BHS Principal Eric Hicks said there is lots of focus on Warrior Time. Every freshmen has an extra 30 minutes of time with certified math teachers daily. He said this year the teachers are only using district approved resources. He said that many of the new teachers this year are ESL certified, so they are taking advantage of that.
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Board received and Information Item: Fannin County Head Start Self Assessment Training.
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Board discussed and took no action on the Target Improvement Plan for Finley-Oates Elementary. They will have a public hearing in December to show what they are doing to improve the school.
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Board approved Fannin County Head Start Annual Report.
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Board approved MOU with Region 10 Regional Behavior Program.
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Board approved a Budget Amendment.
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Board approved the annual Audit. Roberts said they had a clean audit. Overall it was a great year for general fund. The district has a healthy fund balance and is in compliance.
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Board approved Fannin County Appraisal District Election of Board of Directors for Term 1-1-2026 thru 12-31-2027 Ballot/Resolution for Taxing Units. The district has a total of 1470 votes. They decided to grant 735 votes for Jason Walker and 735 votes for AJ Self.
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Board set the next Regular Board Meeting for Monday, Dec. 15 at 6 pm.
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Board went into Executive Session at 8:17 pm. Pursuant to Texas Government Code section § 551.074, board discussion included personnel matters pertaining to evaluations, duties, terminations, replacements, reassignments, hiring, and additions to the staff. They were also going to discuss facilities guidelines.
